Special handling status involves specific classification of an inmate based on distinct factors. These factors include, but are not limited to: an inmate’s past criminal history, present criminal charges, current and past mental history, and tendency to manifest violent behavior. Special handling status may also be given to any inmate that is determined, by the jail liaison, a potential cause of a breach in jail security, if the inmate were housed in general population.
All inmates that require special handling, will be identified or classified by a colored identification band with the inmate’s full name, booking number, and a special handling sub-classification symbol, represented by an alpha/numeric coding system used to identify those inmates who require special handling.
CLASSIFICATIONS:
Red Wristbands: Red wristbands shall be utilized for inmates who are confirmed to be violent and highly dangerous. Additionally, red wristbands shall be utilized for inmates that, if housed in general population, their presence would severely compromise jail security. Red wristband inmates shall be housed in single man cells and kept away from all other inmates. At all times, red wristband inmates shall be escorted by deputy personnel and be waist-chained while being transported.
Sub-classifications of Red Wristbands:
K-10 (High Jail Security Risk): This classification shall be utilized for inmates who, based on confirmed information, require administrative segregation from the general population at all times. K-10 inmates shall be housed in single man cells and be waistchained while being transported.
E (Escape Risk): This sub-classification shall be utilized for inmates who have attempted to escape or have escaped from a jail facility, have the known potential to escape from a secured facility, are “walkaways” from a halfway house, or escaped while on inmate worker status. This sub-classification may be associated with BLUE, RED or YELLOW wristbands.
H (Highly Dangerous): This sub-classification shall be utilized for RED wristband inmates only. This sub-classification shall be utilized when there is confirmed information that the inmate is, or has the potential to become, highly dangerous. This may include, but not be limited to inmates who have violently assaulted officers or other inmates. An inmate, based on current or past criminal history, may be issued this subclassification.
K (Keep-Away): This sub-classification shall be utilized solely for K-10 or K-6 inmates with additional considerations that shall be accommodated to promote the security of all inmates. This sub-classification notifies personnel that it is necessary to review information pertaining to the inmate’s keep-away status or other special conditions in the Automated Justice Information System (AJIS). This sub-classification shall be associated with RED or YELLOW wristbands.
P (Prison Gang Association): This sub-classification shall be utilized for inmates who have confirmed gang affiliation in State Prison. For CST purposes, inmates with this sub-classification shall be leg and waist chained while being transported. This subclassification may be associated with a YELLOW or RED wristband.
N (No Telephone): This sub-classification shall be utilized for inmates who have a Court Order restricting telephone usage. This sub-classification may be associated with a YELLOW or RED wristband.
W (Wheelchair): This sub-classification shall be utilized for inmates who, medical services have confirmed, require a wheelchair for mobility. This sub-classification shall be associated with ANY color wristband.
Z (Condemned Prisoner): This sub-classification shall be utilized for inmates who have been sentenced to death or have returned from death row. For CST purposes, inmates with this sub-classification shall be leg and waist chained while being transported. This sub-classification shall be associated with a RED wristband.
**Note: Classification and declassification of all red wristband inmates shall be approved through the Classification Lieutenant or his designee. If an inmate has multiple classifications that include a red wristband and any other colored wristband, the inmate’s wristband shall remain red with all sub-classifications noted on the wristband.
Yellow Wristbands: Yellow wristbands shall be utilized for inmates that are not considered to be a high risk to jail security; however, based on special circumstances, must be administratively segregated from the general population. Yellow wristband inmates shall only be housed and escorted with other inmates of identical yellow sub-classification, when practical. Yellow wristband inmates with identical sub-classifications may be housed together or separately in single man cells. The Central Housing Unit (CHU) shall be responsible for determining appropriate housing areas for yellow wristband inmates. Yellow wristband inmates housed in single-man cells shall be approved by the Classification Lieutenant or his designee.
Sub-classifications of Yellow Wristbands:
K-1 (Law Enforcement): This classification shall be utilized solely for inmates who are current or past law enforcement officials or inmates who are immediate family members of sworn law enforcement employees.
K-6 (Administrative Segregation): This classification shall be utilized for inmates who are not considered to be a high risk to jail security; however, based on special circumstances, must be administratively segregated from the general population.
NOTE: J, O, Q, U (Reserved) - This sub-classification shall be utilized, at the discretion of the Classification Lieutenant or his designee, for specific inmates who, based on special circumstances, require administrative segregation from the general population to promote optimum jail security. This sub-classification shall be associated with a YELLOW wristband.
Blue Wristbands This sub-classification is utilized for inmates who have been given a lengthy prison sentence. Aggravating or mitigating factors such as criminal history, institutional behavior, potential for violence, age, known associations, etc. will be taken into consideration. The final authority to issue the Blue H Classification rests with the Classification Sergeant. This sub-classification shall be associated with a BLUE wristband.
Sub-classification of Blue Wristbands: K-2 through K-5 (Keep-Away from another Inmate): These classifications shall be utilized for inmates who are kept away from each other. Inmates who must be kept away from each other shall be given different keep-away numbers. Inmates with identical keep-away numbers may be housed and transported together. Inmates with K-2 through K-5 status may be housed with other general population inmates, provided they have no other special handling classifications.
A (Hand-Cuff Cover System) - This sub-classification shall be utilized for an inmate who must be transported wearing the high security hand-cuff cover system in compliance with Custody Division Manual section 5- 05/120.00, “Waist-Chain Procedures.” This sub-classification shall be associated with a BLUE wristband.
E (Escape Risk) - This sub-classification shall be utilized for inmates who have attempted to escape or have escaped from a jail facility, have the known potential to escape from a secured facility, are “walkaways” from a halfway house, or escaped while on inmate worker status. This subclassification may be associated with BLUE, RED or YELLOW wristbands.
H (Sentenced to Prison) -This sub-classification is utilized for inmates who have been given a lengthy prison sentence. Aggravating or mitigating factors such as criminal history, institutional behavior, potential for violence, age, known associations, etc. will be taken into consideration. The final authority to issue the Blue H Classification rests with the Classification Sergeant. This sub-classification shall be associated with a BLUE wristband.
M (Mental) - This sub-classification shall be utilized for inmates who have been diagnosed or are allegedly suffering from a mental disorder and may have the potential to be assaultive. This sub-classification shall be associated with BLUE wristbands.
R (CST Priority) - This sub-classification shall be utilized for inmates needing priority court transportation based on their high control mental condition. Inmates with this sub-classification shall be waist chained while being transported. This sub-classification may be associated with YELLOW or BLUE wristbands.
S (Suicidal) - This sub-classification shall be utilized for inmates who have made suicide attempts, claim to be suicidal, or who personnel believe may become suicidal. Personnel shall complete a Special Handling Request and give a detailed explanation of the inmate’s behavior. Special Handling Request cards, with this sub-classification, shall stay with the inmate until Department of Mental Health personnel have completed the initial evaluation of the inmate. This sub-classification shall be associated with BLUE wristbands.
W (Wheelchair) - This sub-classification shall be utilized for inmates who, medical services have confirmed, require a wheelchair for mobility. This sub-classification shall be associated with ANY color wristband.
Green Wristbands Green wristbands shall be utilized for inmates who are developmentally disabled, or have medical or sensory impairments that may require administrative segregation from the general population. Housing assignments will be determined on a case-by-case basis. CHU, working in conjunction with Medical Services personnel, shall be responsible for determining the appropriate housing areas for green wristband inmates.
Orange Wristbands Orange wristbands shall be utilized for inmates who are confirmed juveniles. All confirmed juveniles shall be administratively segregated from the general population. CHU shall be responsible for determining the appropriate housing area for all confirmed juveniles.
White Wristbands White wristbands shall be utilized for all general population inmates.
Special Wristband Configurations:
Green Loop (Accelerated Release) A green loop attached to an inmate’s wristband signifies an inmate as having an order for release by a judge. This loop is normally placed on an inmate at court who has recently seen a judge and been issued an order for release. The loop is used to ensure the inmate is released as soon as possible.
Yellow Loop (Pre-arraigned Inmate) A yellow loop attached to an inmate’s wristband signifies an inmate as being prearraigned. This loop is assigned to inmates who have not been to Arraignment Court. This usually means the inmate was recently arrested within the last 72 hours. Inmates in this category cannot be routinely strip searched unless you have probable cause.
Red Loop (Drug Court Inmate) A red loop attached to an inmate’s wristband signifies an inmate as being entered in a drug rehabilitation program. This loop is normally affixed to the inmate at court as they have qualified and entered in a first time drug rehabilitation program.
Purple Loop (In-trial Inmate) A purple loop attached to an inmate’s wristband signifies an inmate as being currently in-trial. This band helps identify the inmate as being an in-trial inmate and will aid in ensuring their expedient transportation to court.
Sub-Classification:
No sub-classification code, except M (Mental), S (Suicidal) or R (TST Priority), shall be added to a wristband unless a special handling card has been completed and approved by the Classification Unit.
**Note: K-1 and K-6 classifications shall be assigned yellow wristbands K-2 through K-5 classifications shall be assigned blue wristbands K-10 classifications shall be assigned red wristbands
**Note: L (Leg Chain) - For Court Services Transportation (CST) code only. This subclassification shall be utilized for inmates who will be leg and waist chained while being transported. Leg chains can go on any color wrist band.
**Note: Inmates who are developmentally disabled, or have medical or sensory impairments, such as being deaf or blind, will be clothed in orange shirts and dark blue pants. They will also be wearing a green wristband. An inmate who is deaf will have the letter “D” on the wristband and an inmate who is blind, will have the letter “B” on the wristband.