7-03/080.10 Handcuffing and Chaining



All inmates escorted or transported outside of a secure facility shall be handcuffed or chained. All inmates escorted or transported within a secure compound or within a facility that is not secure shall be handcuffed or chained prior to entering such compound or area. All exceptions must be approved by a supervisor.

Handcuffs and other restraints, including chemical agents, shall only be used for security purposes. The use of restraints in other than a normal and routine manner must have the prior approval of a supervisor. Under no circumstances shall an inmate be chained or handcuffed as a means of punishment.

Inmates that are to be unloaded in an unsecured area shall be handcuffed or chained. One Deputy shall position him/herself on the bus in such a manner as to physically check all handcuffs and chains of the inmates being off loaded to ensure security. Any discrepancy in the security of an inmate shall be corrected before the inmate leaves the bus. Security is not to be jeopardized for the sake of expediency.

Occasionally, it may be necessary to transport inmates without chains or handcuffs. This can only be done with the approval of a supervisor. When this occurs, the inmates must be kept under constant direct visual surveillance by a member of the transporting crew. This procedure is only permissible when the inmates are loaded and unloaded in a secured area.

Handcuffs shall always be doubled locked.

When chaining less than four inmates on a 4-man chain, the extra handcuffs shall be placed on an uncuffed wrist.

Whether chaining or unchaining inmates in a cell, it is required that a minimum of one chainup Deputy be positioned at the gate/door to the cell, and one backup Deputy positioned outside the gate/door to the cell. The backup Deputy requirement also applies when inmates are being chained or unchained in the Transportation Bureau Female Lockup.

When there are unlocked or open doors between a cell containing inmates to be chained and non-secure areas, chaining of the inmate(s) shall be conducted inside the cell.