Loading...
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 J. Zanoni 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. Page 1 of 5 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). Page 2 of 5 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. Page 3 of 5 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. Page 4 of 5 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. Page 5 of 5