PURPOSE OF ORDER:
It is the policy of Altadena Station to check and document the welfare of inmate workers while they are in their housing area during the hours of 2200-0600. This policy will describe the procedures to be followed by watch deputy personnel:
SCOPE OF ORDER:
This order shall apply to all personnel assigned to Altadena Station.
ORDER:
INMATE SAFETY CHECKS
The California Code of Regulations, Title 15, section 1027, requires hourly safety checks of inmates. All inmates in our custody shall be visually checked at least once each hour to ensure their safety and welfare. This will apply to the hours of 2200-0600 in the inmate housing area of Altadena Station.
Procedures for Conducting Safety Checks
Watch deputies conducting these checks shall look at the inmate(s) for obvious signs of life, i.e., breathing (chest rise and fall), talking, movement, etc. Personnel shall conduct these checks by looking into and by entering, if necessary, the inmate housing area, visually inspecting each inmate. Should there be any doubt regarding an inmate’s condition, staff shall attempt to illicit a response from the inmate. If unable to illicit a response from the inmate, a supervisor and the Los Angeles County Fire Department shall be requested. The supervisor and the Los Angeles County Fire Department shall respond to the location and conduct an assessment. Proper officer safety shall be implemented prior to entering any inmate housing area.
Documenting Safety Checks
Immediately after the safety check is completed, the results shall be entered onto the Inmate Worker Safety Checks form. The form shall contain the time the check was made, the first and last name and employee number of the individual conducting the check, and specific comments regarding the activity of the inmate(s). These forms will be saved monthly for inspectional availability.