Loading...
HIGH SECURITY INMATES D-245 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TITLE: HANDLING HIGH SECURITY INMATES NO: D-245 FILE: HIGH SECURITY INMATES EFFECTIVE DATE: 12-25-94 REVISED: 09-09-95, 12-01-96, 03-01-97, 12-01-97 04-19-99, 01-01-00, 04-01-00, 08-01-01 08-01-11, 11-02-16 AUTHORITY: Sheriff M. Mims APPROVED BY: Assistant Sheriff T. Gattie REFERENCE: California Code of Regulations, Title 15, Sections 1053 and 1266; Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division Policies and Procedures Sections D-130 and D-240; and Hall, et al. v. County of Fresno, 1:11-CV-02047-LJO-BAM (2015). PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to establish and maintain safe and consistent measures for handling inmates whose conduct or presence endangers the safety of others or the security of the facility. POLICY: It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division to provide secure housing for inmates whose presence in general population would endanger their own safety, the lives of inmates or staff, or the security of the facility. It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division that the administrative segregation FF-cells in the Main Jail and the 2D Violent Offender cells in the South Annex Jail shall be designated as high security units. Inmates housed in these single cells shall be handled with extreme caution and remain isolated from all other inmates unless under escort by officers. It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division that all inmates determined to be high security by the Population Management Unit shall be issued and required to wear yellow jumpsuits. It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division that all inmates housed in single cells shall have their classification status reviewed at least once every thirty (30) days to determine if the inmate can be moved to less restrictive housing. It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division that when it becomes necessary to remove, return, or transport an inmate who has been determined to be high security, the security measures as outlined in this policy shall be utilized. PROCEDURES: Page 1 of 7 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TITLE: HANDLING HIGH SECURITY INMATES NO: D-245 FILE: HIGH SECURITY INMATES I. DEFINITION HIGH SECURITY INMATE -An inmate that, by the nature of their charge, criminal history, gang affiliation or aggressive behavior must be housed in a single cell, handled with extreme caution, and isolated from all other inmates unless under escort by officers. High security inmates are a sub-classification of administrative segregation. This category includes: ■ Any inmate whose conduct endangers the safety of others; history of in- custody violence or predatory behavior (e.g., aggressive, repeated attempts to physically or sexually abuse another inmate). ■ Any inmate whose conduct endangers the security of the institution; history of participating in disruptive behavior or inciting violence and unrest. ■ High profile or high notoriety cases receiving extensive media coverage. ■ Escaped or attempted to escape with force or the threat of force ■ Targets of death contracts ■ Other inmates, when deemed necessary, based upon written documentation of circumstances by the Population Management Unit. II. CELL DESIGNATIONS A. High security inmates shall be housed in a single cell, handled with extreme caution, and isolated from all other inmates unless under escort by officers. B. Although the majority of high security inmates are housed in Main Jail FF and South Annex 2D cells, this does not preclude high security inmates from being housed or temporarily held in other locations (e.g., safety cells, medical outpatient housing units (OHU), holding cells, etc.). It is also true that high security inmates might not always be identified by their yellow jumpsuit (e.g., the inmate might be wearing a suicidal garment, court clothing, or be waiting to dress-in or dress-out of inmate clothing). It is each officer's responsibility to be aware of the presence of inmates classified as high security in their assignment areas, and to post notice outside the cell, ensuring others are equally aware. C. Inmates housed in FF cells who do not meet the "high security"criteria will not be dressed in yellow, do not need to be shackled and cuffed, and do not need to be escorted by two officers (e.g., civil inmates). III. SECURITY ISSUES Page 2 of 7 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TITLE: HANDLING HIGH SECURITY INMATES NO: D-245 FILE: HIGH SECURITY INMATES A. Absent an emergency and/or direction from a supervisor, an individual officer shall not come into direct contact with a high security inmate unless the inmate is appropriately restrained with shackles, handcuffs and/or waist or belly chain. B. Although the mechanical restraint devices greatly assist in controlling the inmate, the devices should not be considered a guarantee against inmate assault, nor should they be considered a guarantee against inmate escape. The devices are no substitution for vigilance and attention to duty on the part of correctional staff. C. Two (2) high security housing unit doors located in the same cell area shall NOT be open at the same time when they contain inmates. D. The pass-throughs (feed hatches) shall be utilized to handcuff, feed, or pass mail and other items to high security inmates housed in single cells. 1. All pass-throughs shall be maintained in the closed position, unless in use. 2. Officers shall utilize safety precautions when opening a pass-through. The officer should observe the inmate's attitude, stance, position of their hands and feet, and be aware of the proximity of the inmate prior to unlocking the pass-through. Keys should be secured prior to open- ing the hatch. Officers should NEVER place their face or keys in or near the pass-through. E. Once an inmate is removed from their housing unit, the housing unit door shall be secured. F. Although high security inmates are housed in single cells for security reasons, segregation separates the inmate from the general population. Staff needs to be especially attentive to signs of depression and/or suicide risk, while also maintaining a wariness about the possibility of subversive plots to set-up and ambush staff. While inmate safety is cause for concern, staff safety is of paramount importance, and the cell shall not be entered without sufficient back-up. G. The windows and lights are to remain uncovered. All perimeter windows shall be checked for damage at least once each shift. H. Administrative segregation lockdown inmates shall not be utilized as Page 3 of 7 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TITLE: HANDLING HIGH SECURITY INMATES NO: D-245 FILE: HIGH SECURITY INMATES inmate workers or used to clean common areas in the 2D dayroom or FF hallway. IV. PORTAL COVERINGS A. To maximize opportunities for interaction with other persons, the cell door portal coverings in 2D shall remain open from 0700 —2200 hours, unless an inmate requests that it remain closed or it is necessary to temporarily close the portal for exigent circumstances related to Jail security. B. The inmates in the individual cells will be able to request their cell windows to be opened or closed during the regular safety checks by correctional staff. These openings and closings shall be documented in the inmate's General Log, via OffenderTrak. C. Any extended closure of an inmate's window shall be documented in an incident report and, if necessary, a rule violation. V. REMOVAL AND RETURN OF AN INMATE FROM A HIGH SECURITY HOUSING UNIT The following security measures shall be utilized whenever it is necessary to remove or return a high security inmate housed in an administrative segregation lockdown cell. A. A minimum of two (2) officers shall be present during the time an inmate classified as high security is being placed into or removed from restraints. B. When the inmate is to be removed from the housing unit, the officers shall instruct the inmate to place their hands through the pass-through for the purpose of being handcuffed. 1. Inmates may be escorted to and from the shower using only handcuffs. In such cases, the inmate shall be handcuffed with their hands behind their back. 2. During any movement when an inmate will be continuously accompanied or monitored, the inmate shall, at a minimum, be handcuffed and shackled. Examples would include escort to and from the gym or yard. In such cases, the inmate shall be handcuffed with their hands behind their back. 3. During any movement whereby the inmate may be left alone for an Page 4 of 7 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TITLE: HANDLING HIGH SECURITY INMATES NO: D-245 FILE: HIGH SECURITY INMATES extended period of time, and/or require the freedom to use one hand, the inmate shall be transported with handcuffs, shackles and belly chain. Examples would include attorney visits, bondroom visits, medical visits, law library, court, and any out-of-facility transport-ation. The inmate shall be handcuffed with their hands in front of their body to facilitate the procedure for applying a belly chain. (Refer to D- 230/Use of Restraints [FILE: RESTRAINTS]). If the inmate will require the use of their hand (e.g., to write, hold a phone, etc.), one hand may be uncuffed, but only if the inmate is cooperative. 4. The foregoing procedures shall not be construed to prohibit an officer from exceeding the minimum restraint requirements. Additional restraints may be utilized at the discretion of the officers. C. Once the inmate is handcuffed, they shall be removed from their cell and the cell door shall be secured. D. If the inmate is going to be escorted outside of the 2D dayroom or FF hallway, the shackles and belly chain (if applicable) shall be placed on the inmate immediately after they exit the cell, before they leave the dayroom or hallway. Once shackled, the inmate shall be thoroughly searched. E. The number of officers utilized to escort a high security inmate during movement after the inmate has been placed into restraints shall be determined by the senior correctional officer on duty in the area through which the inmate is being moved. F. When being returned to their housing unit, the inmate shall be thoroughly searched prior to the removal of the shackles and belly chain. Officers shall apply a second, temporary set of handcuffs, then remove the shackles and belly chain and instruct the inmate to enter their designated cell. Once the cell door is secured, the inmate shall be instructed to place their hands through the pass-through so that the handcuffs may be removed. V. SEARCHES A search of each administrative segregation lockdown housing cell shall be completed a minimum of once every fourteen (14)days. These searches shall be conducted during the day shift/platoons. The search shall be documented via the OffenderTrak system. (Refer to D-240/Searches of Inmates and Housing Units [FILE: SEARCHES].) VI. SHOWERS Page 5 of 7 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TITLE: HANDLING HIGH SECURITY INMATES NO: D-245 FILE: HIGH SECURITY INMATES A. All inmates housed in single cells shall have access to showers every other day for fifteen (15) minutes. Showers shall be provided during the day shift/platoons. Attendance, refusal, or denial shall be documented via a General Log entry in OffenderTrak. B. The shower schedule for the single cells is as follows: 1. Odd numbered cells shall shower on odd numbered calendar days. 2. Even numbered cells shall shower on even numbered calendar days. 3. All inmates shall be allowed to shower on the last day of months with 31 days (and on February 29t", during leap years). VI I. RECREATION A. Inmates housed in single cells shall be offered to be taken out of their cells for recreation a minimum of seven (7) hours per week. These recreation opportunities shall include at least 1.5 hours of outdoor recreation each week. B. Recreation opportunities shall be documented, regardless of whether the inmate attends, refuses, or the event is cancelled. Refer to policy and procedure E-180/Inmate Exercise and Recreation [FILE: RECREATION], Section VIII for documentation requirements. VIII. TELEPHONE ACCESS All telephones in single cells shall remain on at all times, unless otherwise necessary to turn off(e.g., discipline, administrative action, emergency). The telephones operate as regular telephones from 0800—2300 hours each day. From 2300—0800 hours, the telephones automatically switch over to operate as inmate information lines. IX. HEALTH CARE A. Medical staff shall complete health checks on all inmates in 2D of the South Annex Jail and the FF Units in the Main Jail at least three (3) times a week and document the checks to include any verbal exchange allowing inmates to report any health or mental health needs or concerns. B. Health care staff shall pick up completed request forms directly from Page 6 of 7 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TITLE: HANDLING HIGH SECURITY INMATES NO: D-245 FILE: HIGH SECURITY INMATES inmates in lockdown units during medication passes twice a day. Refer also to policy E-105/Inmate-Staff Communications [FILE: COMMUNICA- TIONS].) C. To the degree permitted by security and safety considerations, clinical encounters should be conducted in private, without being observed or overheard by correctional personnel. Restraints should be removed as needed, and as safely as possible, such that health care staff can conduct a complete examination of the inmate. Notwithstanding, the inmate/ patient's rights may be limited by reasonable application of security regulations, and correctional personnel shall remain in close proximity if the inmate poses a probable risk to the safety of the health care provider or others. X. IN-CELL STIMULATION In an effort to combat the adverse effects of isolation, the Offender Programs Unit offers a variety of materials meant to provide in-cell stimulation.Available materials include: activity packets, puzzles, games, origami, coloring packets, playing cards, meditation and stress reduction exercises, educational packets, books, and other reading materials. XI. INMATES WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS A. Inmates with serious mental illness (SMI) should not be housed in single cells unless the inmate demonstrates a current threat to Jail security, inmate and/or officer safety, as documented by correctional staff, that prevents the inmate from being safely housed in a less restrictive location. B. In the event that an inmate with SMI must be housed in 2D or FF, mental health treatment shall be offered three (3) times per week. C. Inmates with SMI who are housed in single cells for more than forty-eight (48) hours are to have their cases reviewed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of correctional and mental health staff every two (2) weeks. Decisions for an individual's continued housing in a single cell shall include input from a licensed mental health clinician. Page 7 of 7