QUALITY ASSURANCE A-135 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: QUALITY ASSURANCE REVIEW NO: A-135
FILE: QUALITY ASSURANCE
EFFECTIVE DATE: 11-08-16 REVISED:
AUTHORITY: Sheriff M. Mims APPROVED BY: Assistant Sheriff T. Gattie
REFERENCE: Fresno County Sheriff's Office Policy and Procedure Section 102. and
Hall, et al. v. County of Fresno, 1:11-CV-02047-LJO-BAM (2015).
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish a consistent method for the review of key indicator
data in critical areas, to identify and monitor areas in need of improvement, and to take
corrective action and work toward continual improvement in a proactive fashion.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division that Jail Command Staff
shall collectively evaluate key indicator data from significant Jail incidents, examining
systems of control, Jail policies and procedures, and incident trends, and take any
necessary corrective action needed to remedy identified deficiencies.
PROCEDURES:
I. QUALITY ASSURANCE REVIEWS
A. The quality assurance reviews are designed to assess conformance
and effectiveness of the policies and procedures under which the Jail
Division operates. The reviews are intended to provide the opportunity
for self-reflection and identification of any potential opportunities for
improvement.
B. The Jail Command Staff (Captains and Lieutenants) shall conduct a
"Jail Command Staff Quality Assurance Review" on a monthly basis of
all documented incidents involving use of force and other serious
incidents.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: QUALITY ASSURANCE REVIEW NO: A-135
FILE: QUALITY ASSURANCE
II. COMMAND STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Identify deficiencies and issues related to safety and security measures
for monthly and annual evaluation.
B. Evaluate tracking and trending of data. Evaluate progress on achieving
goals.
C. Identify any issues with data collection. Communicate to staff the need
for accuracy in reporting key indicator information for each area.
III. INCIDENT REVIEW
A. Serious incidents involving inmates, including all uses of force, are
documented, and such documentation is reviewed by a Sergeant prior
to the end of the work shift. A delay may be approved in advance by a
Watch Commander, only when based upon exigent circumstances.
B. All documented incidents of the use of force shall be reviewed by the
on-duty Watch Commander within twenty-four (24) hours of the report
being submitted, and by the facility commanders on a monthly basis.
C. Significant incidents (e.g., deaths, escapes, sexual assaults) are
referred through the chain of command for review by the Captain,
Assistant Sheriff, Undersheriff, up to and including the Sheriff, as
appropriate.
IV. MONTHLY REVIEWS
A. Jail Command Staff shall conduct quality assurance reviews on a
monthly basis of all documented significant incidents,which include, but
are not limited to-
1. Assaults and fights (inmate-on-inmate, inmate-on-staff, gassing)
2. Sexual Assaults
3. Deaths (suicides, homicides, illness, injury)
4. Suicide attempts
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: QUALITY ASSURANCE REVIEW NO: A-135
FILE: QUALITY ASSURANCE
5. Uses of force (less-lethal and deadly force)
6. Escapes
7. Fires
8. Emergency room visits and hospitalizations
B. Jail Command Staff shall evaluate the reasonableness of all uses of
force as a part of their scheduled agenda during the monthly meetings.
A designated Sergeant will be assigned the collateral duty as Use of
Force Review Coordinator and be responsible to produce the reports,
data and necessary videos for review at the monthly meetings.
C. The Lieutenant assigned to supervise the Services Unit shall be
responsible to provide status updates on the following critical areas, as
well as any unsafe conditions or adverse issues impacting inmate,staff,
or public safety and facility security:
1. Physical plant safety concerns
2. Control of flammables/caustics
3. Emergency key testing
4. Facility sanitation compliance
5. Contract oversight, as relates to inmate services (i.e., food,
commissary, money).
NOTE: Medical contract oversight is facilitated by the Department
of Public Health.
D. Designated Training staff shall be responsible to provide status updates
on emergency preparedness training (fire suppression, evacuation,
mock fire drills, etc.).
E. Jail Command Staff shall also examine systems of control, Jail policies
and procedures, incident trends and take any necessary corrective
action needed to remedy identified deficiencies.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: QUALITY ASSURANCE REVIEW NO: A-135
FILE: QUALITY ASSURANCE
V. MEETINGS AND FINDINGS
A. All Jail Command Staff meetings shall have an official record of the
proceedings prepared. A permanent record of all meeting minutes shall
be retained on the Sheriff's G-drive. (Refer to Addendum A for meeting
protocols.)
B. The minutes shall include a synopsis of any data reports presented, and
include a record of the findings, decisions, and actions taken.
C. A spreadsheet(s)that tracks and compares key data representing each
of the identified critical areas shall be maintained as part of the record.
D. Information developed during the quality assurance reviews shall be
incorporated into creating corrective action plans and implementing or
improving policies, procedures and practices to remedy any deficiencies
identified. Findings, actions, and recommendations for corrective action
are to be reported to the Jail Administrator (Assistant Sheriff).
E. The findings pertaining to the reasonableness of force used shall be
forwarded up the chain of command to the Sheriff, with any use of force
suspected to be outside of law and/or policy directed to Internal Affairs
for additional investigation, as necessary.
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