The LINEV Clearpass is a pass-through safety screening system that is capable of revealing contraband concealed in clothing as well as inside body cavities without the need to remove an inmate’s clothing. This technology is aimed at curtailing the supply of contraband entering custody facilities while providing additional privacy during intake and routine searches. Instituting this safety screening program in Custody Services Division facilities is meant to reduce the amount of contraband that enters undetected.
The Clearpass is intended to reduce the need to perform routine visual body cavity searches of newly-booked inmates, court returnees, or during routine movement of inmates. Pre-arraigned inmates have no exemption from the safety screening process.
Clearpass searches shall be conducted on all new bookings, court returnees, or any other inmates that have already been through the booking process and arriving at facilities equipped with scanners. In an effort to reduce contraband, inmates may also be screened on a routine basis, arriving for housing from another facility, or when personnel have a suspicion an inmate may be concealing any form of contraband.
REFUSAL PROCEDURES
Inmates who refuse to be screened shall be separated and processed separately from those other inmates consenting to the Clearpass.
If at any time an inmate becomes recalcitrant during any part of the screening or subsequent searching process they shall be handled as described in CDM section 7-02/020.00, “Handling Insubordinate, Recalcitrant, Hostile, or Aggressive Inmates.”
Depending on the type of inmate refusing the body scan (i.e., felony, misdemeanor, infraction), custody personnel shall follow the below list of procedures and guidelines:
Felony inmates:
Felony inmates, including pre-arraigned felony inmates, who refuse to submit to a body scan, shall be subject to a visual body cavity search as described in CDM section 5-08/010.00, “Searches.”
Inmates who are on parole or post release community supervision (PRCS), shall be handled in the same manner as felony inmates. This includes inmates entering IRC for a flash incarceration (Penal Code 3454).
Pre-arraigned misdemeanor and infraction inmates:
Pre-arraigned misdemeanor and infraction inmates shall not be subjected to a visual body cavity search based upon refusal alone. The act of declining the screening option does not meet the “individualized suspicion and articulable facts” required to authorize the visual body cavity search.
If “individualized suspicion and articulable facts” exist, custody personnel shall only perform a visual body cavity search upon completion of a “Strip Search Authorization Record” (SH-R-399) with approval from the watch commander.
Inmates who have already been arraigned shall be handled in the same manner as the felony inmates described above.
Inmates with Physical Disabilities:
The Clearpass screening system is equipped with an ADA ramp and should accommodate most inmates with physical impairments, including those with wheelchairs, other assistive mobility devices, or other medical appliances. Inmates with unforeseen physical impairments or those physically too large to pass through the machine shall be searched as described in CDM section 5-08/010.00, “Searches.” Medical personnel shall be consulted if there is any question as to whether or not an inmate can be screened.
Inmates who are known to be pregnant shall not be screened. Inmates who are unsure of their pregnancy status may request a pregnancy test from Correctional Health Services (CHS) personnel. Pregnant inmates shall be subject to visual body cavity searches in lieu of the Clearpass safety screening process as described in CDM section 5-08/010.00, “Searches.”
Clearpass safety screenings do not preclude custody personnel from continuing other types of thorough and routine searches, as needed to maintain a safe and secure jail environment. Custody personnel shall continue to conduct routine contraband searches of all inmates and their environments.
CLEARPASS OPERATORS
All Clearpass screening system operators shall be trained by each unit’s respective training staff or their designee(s), in the operation of the system and how to properly identify contraband within a scanned image displayed on the screens.
Custody assistants should be assigned as the primary staff responsible for operating and evaluating the scanned images for detection of contraband. However, deputies may occasionally be required to operate Clearpass equipment. Deputies will primarily staff the Clearpass security positions. Custody assistants may, on occasion, be placed in the security positions under the supervision of sworn personnel.
Personnel who have not been formally trained on the operation of the Clearpass screening system or personnel who are pregnant, shall not operate the system. Any other exceptions shall be the decision of the on-duty watch commander. If a trained operator is not available, alternative searching procedures shall be utilized as described in CDM section 5-08/010.00, “Searches.”
Clearpass screening operators, and any personnel in a position to directly observe the Clearpass display, shall be of the same gender as the inmates being screened.
A video camera shall be permanently stored at each Clearpass screening system for use when an inmate becomes recalcitrant. At the beginning of each shift, the Clearpass operator shall inspect the camera to make sure it functions, the battery is full, and recording media are available and have sufficient storage space.
Clearpass screening systems are for use on inmates only. No other persons shall be asked or ordered to submit to be scanned under any circumstances. Custody personnel may voluntarily submit to a screening in order to test the function of the machine, instruct in its use, and/or demonstrate if or how concealed items appear on the display.
EQUIPMENT REPAIR
Requests for service shall be made by the facilities by calling the Clearpass vendor:
LINEV Systems US
13631 Poplar Circle, Conroe, TX 77304, USA
E-mail: info@linevsystems.com
+1-936-588-2064
+1-844-989-6789 (toll-free line)
When a request for service has been made to the vendor, notification shall be made to Custody Support Services Bureau via email.
FOUND CONTRABAND
Whenever contraband is discovered as the result of a Clearpass screening or during an alternate search initiated by an inmate’s refusal or inability to enter the Clearpass screening system, the handling sergeant shall make an entry into the electronic Line Operations Tracking System (e-LOTS), prior to the conclusion of the shift on which the contraband was discovered. The handling sergeant shall also ensure any necessary criminal or disciplinary reports are completed in a timely manner.
In order to enter the incident into e-LOTS, the handling sergeant shall select the “Body Scanner Found Contraband” option on the drop down selection box on page 1, then indicate if the inmate refused the body scan by selecting the appropriate option. Follow up questions will automatically populate based on responses entered by the handling sergeant until the entry is completed.
UNIT ORDERS
Each facility utilizing Clearpass screening systems shall generate a unit order describing when and where inmates shall be screened, the staffing requirements to do so safely, and the logistical considerations pertaining to their facility. Unit orders shall be written with the understanding that the goal is to screen all inmates entering the custody facility where Clearpass body scanners are installed.