2-05/035.00 Sick/Injured/Mentally Ill Inmate in a Court Lockup



When a Deputy observes that an inmate is sick, injured, or appears to be mentally ill, the Deputy shall immediately contact the branch supervisor. If the inmate requires immediate medical attention, call the paramedics. If the inmate is in an occupied cell, do not attempt to move him or her without adequate backup. With adequate assistance, and if additional holding areas are available, move any other inmates to another cell. Do not move a severely injured inmate. If sufficient cells are not available to move other inmates, additional security will be required when treating a sick, injured, or mentally ill inmate. A supervisor shall respond to the lockup to provide control of the situation.

Deputies should continually look for any sign of sickness, injury, or mental illness, especially during the initial intake and classification of inmates. Refer to CSDM, 2-09/000.15 - Acceptance of Courtline Inmates from Court Services Transportation (CST), If an inmate is suspected of being mentally ill, complete a special handling card and a “Behavioral Observation and Mental Health Referral Form.” If an inmate is sick or injured, complete the required “Inmate Injury/Illness Report Form.”

Behavioral Observation and Mental Health Referral Form (BOMHR)

Sheriff’s Court Services personnel will complete a Behavioral Observation and Mental Health Referral Form (BOMHR) and forward to the jail’s mental health, medical staff under the following conditions:

  • Court Services personnel obtains information that indicates an inmate has displayed obvious suicidal ideation.
  • The inmate exhibits unusual behavior that clearly manifests self-injurious behavior.
  • Personnel observes clear indication of mental health crisis.

An email shall also be sent to the following expedite groups: “IRC Inmate Expedites” for male inmates and “CRDF’s IRC (Female) Expedite” for inmates. The email notifications shall include an attachment of the Behavioral Observation Mental Health Report Form (SH-L-407).

Pending transport, such inmate will be under unobstructed visual observation or subject to fifteen (15) minute safety checks.

Note: Refer to CSDNet “Forms” for the Behavioral Observation and Mental Health Referral Form and for an updated version of the Inmate Injury/Illness Report Form (SHJ-212).

If an inmate with an injury was involved in a use of force with Department personnel, regardless of whether the injury was a result of that use of force, the Use of Force – Medical Report Form (SH-J-212F) shall be completed and submitted with the Supervisor’s Use of Force package (SH-R-438-P).

Note: Refer to CSDNet “Forms” for the Use of Force – Medical Report Form (SH-J212F).

Note: An email notification to ACBUCTracking@lasd.org, shall be made for every inmate who requires paramedics while in our courthouse, whether or not they are taken to the hospital. This email notification shall be made by the end of the shift and shall contain the following information:

  • Inmate’s name
  • Booking number
  • Fire agency and station number responding
  • Name of the hospital, if taken
  • Reason for the emergency response

Inmate Detention at Hospitals

If an illness or injury occurs in a court lockup facility, Court Services Division personnel shall escort the inmate to the nearest County or contract hospital and provide security until relieved.

If the inmate is admitted to the contract hospital, Court Services’ personnel shall maintain responsibility for the inmate until arrangements have been made with the appropriate custody facility to assume responsibility for the inmate’s security.

If an extended stay in the emergency room is anticipated (more than four hours), or the inmate is admitted to an open ward, Court Services shall maintain responsibility for the inmate until arrangements have been made with the appropriate custody facility to assume responsibility for the inmate’s security. The North County Correctional Facility (NCCF) shall assume responsibility and security for inmates remanded into the Sheriff’s custody from Court Services Division’s Valley Area Courts, including: Antelope Valley/Lancaster, North Valley, San Fernando, Newhall/Valencia, and Van Nuys Superior Courts. The Twin Towers Correctional Facility (TTCF) shall assume responsibility and security for inmates remanded from all other courts.

If the inmate has a permanent housing location within Custody Division and/or is booked into a Custody Division facility, personnel from the responsible Custody Division unit shall respond to the location and provide security. If the inmate is a station booking or other agency booking, that station or agency shall provide security.

Inmate Detention at Hospital, Not Booked

If the inmate has been remanded to the Sheriff’s custody but has not yet been booked, Court Services Division personnel shall escort the inmate to the nearest county or contract hospital and provide security until relieved.

If the inmate is approved for transport during court hours, the inmate should be transported back to the court lockup. If the inmate is approved for transport after court hours, Court Services Division shall get approval for booking at IRC/CRDF.

If the inmate is admitted into the Los Angeles County Medical Center (LCMC) Jail Ward, Court Services personnel shall be relieved by LCMC personnel.

Case Management of Hospitalized Sheriff's Inmates and Arrestees

Note: This procedure applies only to inmates who are officially booked into the Sheriff's custody or already remanded to the Sheriff by a court. It does not apply to Sheriff's inmates who are not booked, nor does it apply to another agency's inmates, while in court and still technically in the custody of that agency.

When inmates that are seriously ill or injured, while in the custody of the Sheriff, require emergency hospitalization at a local hospital, Medical Services staff can assist Custody, Court Services, and Field Operations in monitoring the medical status and arranging the transfer of those inmates from the private hospital to the LCMC Jail Ward or the TTCF Medical Services Building, as soon as it is medically feasible.

The concerned Unit's Watch Commander or designee should telephone Medical Services Administration at (213) 893-5446. They will then facilitate the medical communications and secure available bed space at the appropriate receiving hospital. Prior to the transfer, which cannot take place until the sending and receiving physicians mutually concur, the Watch Commander or designated contact person at the handling unit will be advised when and how the transportation will take place and the destination. The handling unit will retain full responsibility for the inmate until he or she is relieved or formally received by custody and medical personnel at the receiving hospital.

During non-business hours, the Watch Commander or designee should leave a detailed voicemail message, including the inmate's name, booking number, hospital name, and phone number; the caller's name, unit, and phone number. The facilitation process will begin on the next business day.