Effective Date: 02-11-16
Revision Date: 08-24-18
Review Date: 08-24-20
Purpose Of Order:
The purpose of this order is to establish guidelines, and frequency for screening inmates at Pitchess Detention Center (PDC) South Facility utilizing the security screening system “Smith Detection B-SCAN 16HR-LD 250” (B-SCAN/X-ray) to control contraband, recover missing or stolen property, and to ensure internal security and safety.
Scope Of Order:
This order applies to all personnel assigned to, and working at PDC South Facility, particularly to those assigned to search or screen inmates, including but not limited to Inmate Processing Area (IPA) and B-SCAN/X-ray security personnel.
Order:
The purpose of the B-SCAN/X-ray screening system is to curtail the supply of contraband entering PDC South Facility and to minimize the need for more intrusive methods of searching inmates during the intake process and routine searches. The B-SCAN/X-ray will be used in the IPA of PDC South Facility (Barrack 40) to screen new inmates, court returnees, inmate workers and any inmates housed currently at PDC South Facility.
The B-SCAN/X-ray screening system will help reduce the amount of contraband which is undetected by use of visual searching methods and will help reveal contraband secreted in an inmate’s clothing, as well as body cavities.
B-Scan/X-Ray Operators
All B-SCAN/X-ray screening system operators shall be trained by Custody Training and Standards Bureau (CTSB), or their designee(s), in the operation of the system and how to identify contraband on the display screens. Custody assistants (CA’s) will be the primary operators of B-SCAN/X-ray equipment. However, deputies who are trained may be requested to use the B-SCAN/X-ray equipment on an as needed basis.
B-SCAN/X-ray screening operators and any personnel in a position to directly observe the B-SCAN/X-ray display, shall be of the same gender as the inmate being screened.
Personnel who have not been formally trained on the operation of the B-SCAN/X-ray screening system shall not attempt to operate the system.
If a trained operator is not available, an alternate search procedure shall be utilized.
The amount of x-ray exposure from the B-SCAN/X-ray screening systems is extremely low. The x-ray exposure from a single pass through the system is equivalent to about three (3) minutes of flying in an aircraft at an altitude of 30,000 feet. In addition, no x-ray radiation reaches beyond the safety zones which are clearly marked around the base of the system or through the side panels.
In an effort to ensure that B-SCAN/X-ray operators are not exposed to radiation, they shall be issued and shall wear a radiation detection badge, known as a dosimeter. B-SCAN/X-ray screening operators and any personnel in a position to directly observe the B-SCAN/X-ray shall wear their assigned dosimeter prior to operating the system. The dosimeter shall be secured in Barrack 40 and shall not be exposed to sunlight. The dosimeter shall not be taken home. After use, the dosimeter shall be secured in the B-SCAN/X-ray sergeant’s office.
The dosimeters shall be evaluated regularly and exchanged quarterly. At the end of each quarter, expired dosimeters shall be sent back to Mirion Technologies for measurement of possible radiation exposure.
A portable video camera shall be permanently stored at each B-SCAN/X-ray screening system station. At the beginning of each shift, the B-SCAN/X-ray operator shall ensure that the video camera is functioning properly, has a charged battery, and recording media with sufficient storage space. The portable cameras shall be used as a back-up in case the CCTV cameras installed in barrack 40 malfunction.
B-Scan/X-Ray Screening Proceedures
Inmates who are to be screened shall be escorted into the screening area, located in Barrack 40. The amount of inmates in barrack 40 for screening shall be determined by the sergeant. The inmates will stand quietly and face the wall as custody personnel provide the following instructions in preparation to move one (1) inmate at a time through the B-SCAN/X-ray screening system:
When the B-SCAN/X-ray screening operator is ready, custody personnel will direct the inmates, one at a time, through the B-SCAN/X-ray screening system. At the completion of each scan process, the inmate will be instructed to safely step off the system conveyor belt, face the exit (North Doors) of Barrack 40, place their hands behind their back, and refrain from talking. During this time, the B-SCAN/X-ray screening operator shall evaluate the inmate’s scan. If the B-SCAN/X-ray screening operator determines the inmate is clear of any contraband, the inmate will be directed to recover his property and follow the directions of deputy personnel.
If the B-SCAN/X-ray screening operator observes something suspicious or foreign in the inmate’s scan, the screening operator shall notify the assisting deputy and the sergeant. The inmate shall then be handcuffed and segregated. Once the inmate is segregated, he shall be supervised by deputy personnel at all times to prevent the inmate from disposing any evidence of contraband. The inmate shall be visually searched and given the opportunity to voluntarily remove the contraband in accordance with Custody Division Manual (CDM) section 5-08/010.00, Searches.
Medical personnel shall be summoned to the location to evaluate the inmate’s health. If the inmate needs emergent medical attention, he shall be transported via ambulance to the nearest hospital.
The inmate shall be waist-chained with the handcuffs positioned on the side of the inmate’s hip, double locked in accordance with CDM section 5-05/120.00, Waist Chain Procedures if medical personnel does not deem the inmates health at risk and the following occurs:
The waistband and ankles of the inmate’s pants shall be taped closed to restrict the inmate’s access to their body cavities. The tape should never be applied in a manner to restrict circulation, or directly over the inmate’s skin.
Measures shall be taken to prove/disprove the existence of concealed contraband inside the inmate’s body (x-ray, body scanner, inmate admittance, canine alerts, etc.).
After contraband has been confirmed, contraband watch procedures shall be initiated and conducted in accordance with Custody Services Division Directive 15-001, Contraband Watch Procedures.
Reports of contraband shall include the inmate’s name, booking number, location of the scanner, contraband discovered, and photographs of the contraband if available.
Refusal Proceedures
New Inmate Arrivals
All incoming lines (new arrivals) shall submit to the custody safety screening program (B-SCAN). Inmates who refuse to be screened are subject to being rehoused at an outlying facility. An “Information Only” Inmate Reports Tracking System (IRTS) shall be submitted documenting the refusal. An inmate who becomes recalcitrant during any part of the screening or subsequent process, shall be handled as described in CDM section 7-02/020.00, “Handling Insubordinate, Recalcitrant, Hostile, or Aggressive Inmates.”
Court Returnees
All inmates returning from court shall submit to the custody safety screening program (B-SCAN). Inmates who refuse to be screened, shall be rehoused at an outlying custody facility, per Personnel Management Bureau (PMB) housing guidelines. Additionally, an “Information Only” IRTS report shall be written by the handling Deputy, or his/her designee, detailing the Inmates refusal to submit the custody safety screening program (B-SCAN).
If an inmate declines to participate in the B-SCAN/X-ray safety screening process, a sergeant shall be notified. The inmate shall be subjected to a visual body cavity search. The visual body cavity search shall be in accordance with PDC South Facility unit orders and CDM, section 5-08/010.0, “Searches.”
If an inmate refuses both the B-SCAN/X-ray and the visual body cavity search, a sergeant shall immediately be notified. The inmate may be subject to a “major violation” disciplinary procedure (insubordination/refusing an order) per CDM section 5-09/030.00, “Disciplinary Guidelines.”
Pre-Arraigned Felony Inmates
In the presence of a sergeant, pre-arraigned FELONY inmates who decline the opportunity to be screened shall be given a visual body cavity search. Inmates who refuse to submit to a visual body cavity search are subject to a “major violation” disciplinary procedure per CDM section 5-09/030.00 “Disciplinary Guidelines.”
Any inmate who becomes recalcitrant during any part of the screening or subsequent searching process shall be handled as described in CDM section 5-05/090.05, “Handling Insubordinate, Recalcitrant, Hostile, or Aggressive Inmates.”
Inmates who have been arraigned shall be handled in the same manner as the pre-arraigned FELONY inmates described above.
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 of pre-arraigned misdemeanor or infraction inmate. If, however, individualized suspicion and articulable facts exist, custody personnel may 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 With Special Needs And/Or Physical Limitations
Inmates confined to wheelchairs or with crutches who cannot physically stand for the screening process (approximately seven seconds), as well as those inmates whose physical stature prevents them to pass through the B-SCAN/X-ray screening system, 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 safely participate in the B-SCAN/X-ray process.
Pregnant Inmates
Currently, female inmates are not assigned to housing at PDC South Facility. However, in the event the facility is assigned female inmates, the following procedures shall be implemented:
Pregnant inmates shall not be screened by use of the B-SCAN/X-ray screening system. All pregnant inmates shall be searched as described in CDM, section 5-08/010.00, “Searches.” All confirmed pregnant inmates shall be classified in accordance with CDM section 5-01/030.00, “Identification and Classification Symbols for Special Handling Inmates,” and CDM section 5-01/030.05, “Identification and Classification for Pregnant Inmates.”
Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing Inmates
PDC South Facility currently does not house deaf or hard of hearing inmates. However, in the event the facility is assigned deaf or hard of hearing inmates, the following procedures shall be implemented:
Inmates who have been classified as deaf or hard of hearing are issued an inmate uniform consisting of an orange shirt and blue pants. This allows custody personnel to identify the inmate’s particular needs and provide special accommodations as seen fit and/or necessary. Green wristbands are also utilized for inmates who are developmentally disabled or who have medical or sensory impairments that may require administrative segregation from the general population. The letter “D” is also placed on the inmate’s green wristband, which helps identify the deaf or hard of hearing inmates.
When a deaf or hard of hearing inmate must participate in the B-SCAN X-RAY screening process, it is imperative that custody personnel make every attempt to effectively communicate with the inmate. Manual Policy and Procedures (MMP) section 5-09-005.20, “Communicating in Writing” states, “If immediate communication is important or the communication demands are limited, communication may be accomplished in writing.” Also, MMP section 5-09/005.10, “Communicating with Assistive Listening Devices” states, “Depending on the degree of impairment, effective communication may be facilitated by facing the individual and speaking loudly. If appropriate assistive listening devices are readily available, they should be provided. If they are not readily available or cannot be readily obtained, then a request for accommodation should be directed to the Department’s American Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator/Unit.”
If the above mentioned methods are unsuccessful, deputy personnel shall contact the watch sergeant and request the assistance of a sign language interpreter. If unable to locate a certified a sign language interpreter inside the custody facility, the watch sergeant shall contact the Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau at 323-523-5541 and make a request for a sign language interpreter.
Personnel should consult with a sergeant if any questions or concerns arise regarding the B-SCAN/X-ray screening process.
Revision Date 08-24-18
02/11/16 SOUF