PURPOSE OF ORDER:
The purpose of this order is to establish procedure concerning the handcuffing of inmates assigned to High Observation Housing (HOH) housing areas.
SCOPE OF ORDER:
This order shall apply to all personnel working in HOH at Twin Towers Correctional Facility (TTCF).
ORDER:
In order to ensure the safety of all personnel, and inmates, and to ensure the security of the facility, custody personnel shall handcuff inmates who are housed in HOH prior to leaving their cell. Additionally, inmates who are actively violent, have a known propensity for violent, are considered escape risks, or who have a classification that indicates the need to be handcuffed (e.g., K-10, K-20), shall be handcuffed. When an HOH inmate becomes recalcitrant, a sergeant shall be notified immediately. The sergeant shall respond to the location and handle the inmate as described in Custody Division Manual (CDM) section 7-02/020.00 “Handling Insubordinate, Recalcitrant, Hostile, or Aggressive Inmates.”
When inmate(s) fall into one of the above categories and are being moved, custody personnel shall utilize the cell door tray slots when handcuffing inmates for out of cell movement.
If an inmate has been deemed hostile, aggressive, or has proven to be unpredictable, and is housed in a cell that is not equipped with a functioning tray slot, the inmate shall be directed to face away from the door, kneel on the floor with their ankles crossed, and placed their hands behind their back. If kneeling is not feasible, the inmate shall be instructed to lie on the lower bunk or the floor in a prone position with their feet facing the door prior to personnel opening the cell door. The floor sergeant shall be notified and present prior to making entry into the cell for handcuffing.
In instance when an inmate’s behavior may prevent personnel from safely removing the inmate from their cells for medical or mental health evaluations, personnel shall follow the procedures delineated in TTCF Unit Order 5-08-095, “Non-removal of Hostile Inmates from Cells for Mental Health or Medical Evaluations.”
During any mental health evaluation, HOH inmates shall remain handcuffed at all times.
All inmates assigned to HOH shall be handcuffed when entering the floor. Inmates leaving an HOH floor on a temporary pass shall always be handcuffed. Inmates going to or returning from court shall be waist-chained until they are returned to their cell.
An inmate who has been handcuffed or otherwise restrained shall not be placed into any holding area or cell where there are other inmates, unless all inmates are handcuffed or restrained. If several restrained inmates are temporarily placed into a holding area or cell, custody personnel shall maintain an unobstructed visual observation on them at all times to assure their safety.