15-07 INMATE SAFETY CHECKS

PURPOSE:

One of the primary objectives for 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 a station jail, there is a proven history that inmate safety checks, if done adequately, help prevent inmate injuries, deaths, and assaults.

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

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 existing 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 per 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, suicidal inmates, and juveniles.

CARSON STATION
UNIT ORDER 15-07

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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, i.e., an "arousal attempt."

An arousal attempt can be made by:

• calling the inmate by name while observing from the hall; or
• making a loud noise, such as scraping or knocking keys across the doors or bars; or
• asking another inmate in the cell to attempt to get a response; or
• if unable to obtain a verbal response to stimulation, obtain backup and attempt to physically rouse the person.

If the inmate is non-responsive, then personnel shall immediately adhere to Emergency Alarm Activation and Supervisory Notification Procedures set forth in Carson Station Unit Order 15-08.

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 immediately 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.

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.

CARSON STATION
UNIT ORDER 15-07

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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.

Intoxicated Inmates, Use of Sobering Cell & Housing

Due to an inmate's state of intoxication, an inmate may pose a threat to his/her own safety or the safety of others. Inmates displaying symptoms of intoxication including being unable to care for oneself, being unable to stand or walk without more than minimal assistance, and being unresponsive to verbal stimulation shall be temporarily housed in a sobering cell.

NOTE: Inmates with other medical complications (as noted on the Medical Screening form) are inappropriate candidates for a station sobering cell and should be transferred to an appropriate custodial facility with licensed medical personnel.

Intermittent, direct, visual observation of inmates held in the sobering cell shall be conducted no less than once per every 30 minutes to monitor their behavior and ensure they are breathing in a regular manner. These checks shall be recorded by the jailer on the back of the Intoxication Observation Sheet.

The primary goals of inmate safety checks for intoxicated inmates are to:

1. To observe the inmate's breathing and determine his/her breathing is regular, as opposed to erratic or difficult.

NOTE: Loud, stertorous snoring is an indication of difficulty in breathing and requires closer monitoring.

2. Engage in an arousal attempt, if necessary, to ensure the inmate can respond to verbal or pressure stimulation (shaking them awake). This is the most important monitoring procedure for jailers in non-medical settings.

If an intoxicated inmate is unresponsive, personnel shall adhere to the policies stated above (Unit Order 15-08) regarding emergency alarm activation, supervisory notification, and rendering of life-saving procedures.

In no case shall an intoxicated inmate be held in a sobering cell over six hours, without a re-evaluation by the jailer. If, after re-evaluation, it is the jailer's opinion that the inmate:

• Is not sobering up, then an evaluation by a medical staff person is needed to determine whether the inmate has an urgent medical problem.

CARSON STATION
UNIT ORDER 15-07

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• Is sobering up, then it is the jailer's responsibility to complete another

evaluation, as indicated on the Intoxication Observation Sheet and continue to monitor.

An inmate no longer meeting the intoxicated criteria above shall be removed from the detoxification cell since they are now able to continue booking procedures.

Once the inmate sobers up (from either drugs or alcohol), he/she should be moved from the sobering cell and housed in a regular cell. When feasible, inmates shall be placed in a regular cell with other inmates who have the same security points as mandated by the Station Jail Inmate Classification Questionnaire form.

Watch Sergeant Responsibilities

• The Watch Sergeant on every shift shall conduct two inmate safety checks. The checks shall be documented manually on the daily Prisoner Count sheet in the same manner noted above.
• The Watch Sergeant shall ensure required inmate safety checks are being conducted and properly documented.
• The Watch Sergeant shall inspect the remaining areas of the jail to ensure safe and secure conditions are being maintained.
• The Watch Sergeant shall record their inmate safety checks in the electronic Uniform Daily Activity Log, e-Gatebook section under, "Supervisor Checks."

Watch Commander Responsibilities

• The Watch Commander on every shift shall conduct two inmate safety checks. The two checks shall be documented manually and electronically, in the same manner noted above.
• The Watch Commander on each respective shift 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 Watch Commander 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 Watch Commander shall investigate and take appropriate action.
• The Watch Commander on each shift 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 30th day of each 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.