07-105/03 Contraband Watch Procedures

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

PURPOSE OF ORDER:    

The purpose of this unit order is to establish procedures for placing an inmate on contraband watch and the retrieval of concealed contraband.

SCOPE OF ORDER:         

This order applies to all personnel assigned to and/or working at the North County

Correctional Facility (NCCF).

ORDER:

The on-duty watch commander and supervising building sergeant shall be immediately notified of any inmate suspected of concealing contraband inside a body cavity.

The objective of placing an inmate on contraband watch is to retrieve concealed contraband, ensure it does not reach the inmate population, and ensure the safety of the inmate suspected of having concealed the contraband. Placement on contraband watch shall be utilized as a last resort when all other reasonable means to recover the contraband have failed.
 

An inmate may be placed on contraband watch when Department personnel develop, through direct observation, use of the B-SCAN system (“body scanner”), or canine alerts, reasonable suspicion supported by articulable facts that the inmate has concealed contraband in their body, either physically or through ingestion, and the inmate refuses to confirm the presence or absence of contraband.

If, at any time during their incarceration, an inmate admits to Department personnel that they have concealed narcotics or other life-threatening contraband (e.g., cutting instruments) in their body, personnel shall initiate an Inmate Injury/Illness Report (SH-J-212) and, in accordance with Custody Division Manual (CDM) section 4-01/020.05, “Inmate Injury and Illness Reporting,” notify Correctional Health Services (CHS) personnel as soon as possible for assessment and determination of whether the inmate necessitates immediate care. If an inmate exhibits life-threatening medical symptoms, medical personnel shall be summoned immediately, in accordance with CDM section 5-03/060.00, “Response to Inmate Medical Emergencies.”

If, at any time during their incarceration, an inmate admits to CHS personnel that they have concealed contraband in their body, CHS will determine whether the inmate necessitates immediate care.

If another Pitchess Detention Center facility requests to use NCCF’s facilities to conduct a contraband watch on an inmate who meets the above referenced criteria for suspected contraband, they must supply their own personnel, trained on contraband watch procedures, to monitor the inmate. If the requesting facility does not have trained personnel, NCCF personnel shall conduct the contraband watch and the requesting facility shall provide personnel to work at NCCF.

In instances where there are overflow inmates from either Men’s Central Jail (MCJ) or NCCF that need to be placed in a contraband watch cell, the receiving facility shall assume responsibility of the inmate without providing supplemental personnel. 

A minimum of two custody personnel shall be assigned to monitor the inmate during pre-placement procedures and after the inmate is placed into the dry cell.

All personnel shall adhere to procedures delineated in CDM section 5-07/000.05, “Contraband Watch Procedures.”