15-004 Inmate Safety Check

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

STATION ORDER

Cerritos Station

STATION ORDER NUMBER:  15-004

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this order is to set forth policies and procedures governing inmate safety checks for all inmates housed at Cerritos Station Jail.

One of the primary objectives of personnel assigned to the station jail is to ensure the safety and security of all inmates housed within the jail.  Whether in a custody facility or station jail, there is a proven history that inmate safety checks, if done adequately, help prevent inmate injuries, deaths, and assaults.

SCOPE OF ORDER:

This order shall apply to all personnel assigned to the station jail, as well as supervisory personnel conducting inmate safety checks.

ORDER:

To comply with state regulations and to act in conformance with exciting Custody Division policy regarding inmate safety checks, the following shall be conducted:

          Frequency of the Inmate Safety Check

All inmates housed in the station jail shall be visually checked at least once every 30 minutes.

• See table below for the exact frequency of inmate safety checks relative to the inmate’s specific classification, i.e., general population, intoxicated inmates, and juveniles.

To prevent an inmate’s ability to plan around anticipated checks, the safety checks shall be conducted in a staggered fashion, i.e., each check is conducted within the time interval, but not repeatedly and precisely at the same interval.

Inmate Safety Check Defined: Nature and Quality

Station jail and supervisory personnel shall conduct periodic, visual checks to look for the following:

• Signs of life such as breathing, talking, or bodily movement; AND
• Signs of distress such as bleeding, injury, difficulty breathing, or other behavior indicating the individual’s welfare may be in jeopardy.

Station jail personnel shall look into the cells by opening the outer jail door, entering the inner sally-port area, and visually looking into the rooms/cells.  Personnel shall visually inspect each inmate from a reasonable distance and inspect the general area for any items obstructing their view.  If such items exist, jail personnel shall ensure such items are removed in accordance with appropriate officer safety principles and tactics.

If there is doubt about an inmate’s condition, personnel shall attempt to elicit a response from the inmate, e.g., making noise, calling persons names, etc.

If the inmate is non-responsive, then personnel shall immediately adhere to Emergency Alarm Activation and Supervisory Notification Procedures set forth in Cerritos Station Unit Order, 15-004.

Once such procedures are completed, personnel shall immediately render first aid and if necessary, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).  Proper officer safety practices shall be observed at all times prior to initiating first aid and/or CPR, i.e., removing other inmates from the cell and securing them in a separate cell.

• NOTE: Time is critical during this period and although personnel shall take              appropriate actions to ensure scene safety, they must bear in mind their duty to render first aid and preserve life.

Personnel who perform first aid procedures and/or CPR shall continue these practices until relieved by qualified station personnel, qualified medical personnel, or they are physically unable to continue life-saving procedures.

Upon completion of the observational periods(s) and when feasible, inmates, who are booked for alcoholic intoxication or under the influence of a controlled substance, shall be placed in a regular housing cell with other inmates that may have the same security points, as mandated by the Station Jail Inmates Classification Questionnaire form.

If station jail personnel, during their assigned shift, are unable to conduct an inmate safety check, a supervisor shall be notified and advised that assistance is required.

Inmate Safety Check Documentation

All inmate safety checks shall be recorded as manual entries on the daily Prisoner Count Sheets with the time, date, and name of the person who conducted each check.

Watch Commander Responsibilities

• The Watch Commander/Watch Sergeant on every shift shall conduct two inmate safety checks. 
• The Watch Commander/Watch Sergeant shall ensure required inmate safety checks are being conducted and properly documented.
• The Watch Commander/ Watch Sergeant shall inspect the remaining area of the jail to ensure safe and secure conditions are being maintained.
• The Watch Commander/Watch Sergeant shall record their inmate safety checks in the electronic Uniform Daily Activity Log, e-Gatebook section under, “Supervisor Checks” and the “Watch Commander’s Log.”
• If the electronic Uniform Daily Activity Log is not properly functioning, the checks shall be documented manually on the daily Prisoner Count Sheet in the same manner noted above.
• The Lieutenant assigned the jail as a collateral duty, shall conduct a random audit of inmate safety checks once every month.  The random audit shall consist of accessing the closed-circuit television system used to monitor jail activities.  The Lieutenant shall obtain surveillance footage, observe the date and time of inmate checks, and confirm the checks correspond to the manual entries.  If discrepancies are found, the Lieutenant shall investigate and take appropriate action.
• The Lieutenant shall notify the Operations Lieutenant via e-mail of his/her findings from the monthly random audit.  The e-mail shall be sent no later than the 30^th day of the month.

If station jail personnel notify a supervisor, a sergeant or above, that an inmate safety check cannot be completed, the supervisor must ensure the check is conducted within the appropriate time interval.

Frequency of Inmate Safety Checks and Inmate Classification