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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 J. Zanoni 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. Page 1 of 4 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 Page 2 of 4 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. Page 3 of 4 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. Page 4 of 4