COUNTS D-300 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: INMATE COUNTS NO: D-300
FILE: COUNTS
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08-10-92 REVISED: 12-25-94, 04-01-96, 09-01-98, 07-01-99,
12-01-09, 09-01-20
AUTHORITY: Sheriff M. Mims APPROVED BY: Assistant Sheriff T. Gattie
REFERENCE: California Code of Regulations, Title 15, Section 1029.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish and maintain a consistent and accurate method
of inmate accountability.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriff's Office Jail Division that two official inmate
counts shall be conducted each day to ensure the accountability of all inmates housed or
held within the Detention Facilities.
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriff's Office Jail Division that all inmate movement
shall cease during official inmate counts. No movement shall take place until the count
is cleared and announced by each facility's respective Central Control.
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriff's Office Jail Division that inmates shall not be
allowed to participate in the preparation or documentation of the inmate count process.
PROCEDURES:
I. DEFINITIONS
EMERGENCY COUNT — A count completed at a time other than one of the
established times as a result of an emergency, escape, or other special
situation as determined by the Watch Commander.
HEAD COUNT OR BODY COUNT—A numerical head count of all inmates in each
housing unit for the purpose of consolidating the total body count in each
housing unit and each facility against the Jail Roster report. An official head
count is conducted each morning at 0600 hours.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: INMATE COUNTS NO: D-300
FILE: COUNTS
INFORMAL COUNT — Counts conducted at a non-official time, but not
considered an emergency count. Includes the informal count taken during
meals.
OFFICIAL COUNT—A count routinely conducted each day at specified times for
accountability of all inmates in the facility (i.e., morning head count and
evening wristband count).
ROSTER COUNT OR IDENTIFICATION COUNT("WRISTBAND COUNT") —A personal
identification check of each inmate for the purpose of reconciling each inmate
in custody by name against the Jail Roster. Wristbands are checked for signs
of tampering and/or deterioration and replaced as necessary. An official
identification count shall be conducted each evening at 2200 hours.
II. INMATE COUNTS
A. All inmate movement stops during official inmate counts. With the
exception of inmates who must be "dressed out for court," all inmates
should be inside their assigned housing unit. Movement shall not take
place until the count is cleared and announced by each facility's
respective Central Control.
B. A numerical "head count" of all inmates shall be completed at 0600 hours
each morning. The housing officers shall be responsible to consolidate
the total body count in each housing unit against the Jail Roster report.
(Refer to ..ndum A. for Offendertrak procedures.)
C. A "wristband count" shall be completed each evening at 2200 hours to
reconcile each inmate by name against the Jail Roster. (Refer to
dendum A.)
.... ......................................................
1. All inmates shall be returned to their assigned cells prior to the start
of count and instructed to sit or lie on their assigned bunks.
2. Depending on the housing location, inmates may be required to step
forward and show their wristband, or get off their bunk and meet the
officer at the cell door. If an inmate has a verified condition/disability
that prevents the inmate from standing during count, the inmate may
be allowed to sit on his/her bed (or in a wheelchair next to the bed,
or other accommodation, as necessary).
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: INMATE COUNTS NO: D-300
FILE: COUNTS
3. The Jail Roster used for the wristband count shall be signed and
forwarded to the Facility Sergeant. The roster shall be retained in
the Sergeant's Office until the next identification count for reference
purposes (should a power or system failure occur).
D. Informal counts shall be performed as part of the meal distribution
process.
III. FLOOR OFFICER RESPONSIBILITY
Floor Officers are responsible to:
A. Conduct the appropriate inmate count in a timely manner.
B. Individually count each inmate, ensuring that each inmate is living and
breathing. Confirm bunk assignments, when applicable.
1. If the count is incorrect, recount the housing unit. If the count
remains off, determine the discrepancy and account for the "missing"
inmate or identity of the "extra" inmate, as applicable.
2. If unable to account for the inmate, immediately notify the Security
Officer (who shall in turn notify the Facility Sergeant).
C. Notify the Security Officer once the count is secure and submit count
( .......................:............................................:.)
totals via ffendertrak. Refer to Addendum A
D. During "wristband count," individually check each inmate wristband to
verify the inmate's identity against the most current roster for that specific
housing unit.
1. Check all wristbands for signs of tampering and/or deterioration (e.g.,
loose, worn, faded, etc.). Replace as necessary.
2. The Jail Roster used for the wristband count shall be signed and
forwarded to the Facility Sergeant.
E. Perform "informal counts" during meal distribution. Observe the well-
being of all inmates during the feed process, and check on the welfare of
any inmate who does not report for their meal. The Floor Officers shall
document the distribution of meals in the Safety Check System (MEAL
PROVIDED) and indicate the name of any inmate who did not obtain their
meal in the COMMENTS section. The Security Officers are responsible
to document the "Informal Count (meals)" in Offendertrak.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: INMATE COUNTS NO: D-300
FILE: COUNTS
IV. SECURITY OFFICER RESPONSIBILITY
Security Officers are responsible to:
A. Notify each housing unit prior to the Floor Officers beginning count.
B. Once the count has been verified as accurate, the Security Officer shall
notify the applicable Central Control that "count is secure." Movement
shall not resume until Central Control announces that the facility count is
secure.
C. Unrack the general population and protective custody inmates after the
facility count is secure.
1. Morning head count - the inmates shall remain in their cells (or on
their dormitory bunks) and unracked after the dayroom cleanliness
inspection (approximately 0800 hours).
2. Evening wristband count — the inmates should be unracked and
permitted dayroom access no later than 2300 hours.
D. A current Jail Roster shall be retained in the security station at all times.
E. All Jail Roster count sheets used for identification (wristband) counts
shall be signed and forwarded to the Facility Sergeant and retained in the
Sergeant's office until the next identification count.
V. DISCREPANCY IN AN INMATE COUNT
A. All discrepancies in an inmate count will be resolved without delay.
B. In the event of a discrepancy in an inmate count, the discovering Floor
Officer shall recount the housing unit to confirm the count, and determine
the identity of the missing (or extra) inmate, as applicable.
C. If after the recount, the count is still off, the Floor Officer shall notify the
Security Officer who shall in turn notify the Facility Sergeant. The
Sergeant shall notify the Watch Commander.
D. The Watch Commander, or their designee, shall determine the
appropriate action to be taken.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: INMATE COUNTS NO: D-300
FILE: COUNTS
VI. EMERGENCY COUNTS
A. If an inmate is suspected or discovered to be missing, an emergency
count shall be conducted.
B. After a major disturbance, a count shall be taken to determine that no
one has escaped or is in hiding.
C. The Watch Commander, or their designee, shall determine what action
to take and the type of counts to be utilized as dictated by the situation.
D. The most recent Jail Roster shall be utilized to determine all counts.
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