Chapter 12 - Prisoners

Bexar County Sheriff's Office Policy Manual: Prisoners

• Policy: Persons taken into custody will not be abused, and their rights protected. Custody responsibility is with the arresting/transporting deputy until intake.

• Purpose: Provides guidance on prisoner care and transport to intake. Not meant to replace other BCSO branch procedures. Prisoner searches are limited to searches incident to arrest.

• Definitions:

  • Jail Prisoners: Confined at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center.
  • Field Custody Prisoners: Arrested, awaiting transport to intake.

• Restraining Prisoners:

  • Handcuffs are to be double-locked and checked for spacing.
  • Deputies use discretion in handcuffing, considering gender, age, temperament, and offense type.
  • Handcuffs are placed behind the back, except under specified circumstances.
  • Special considerations for persons charged with felonies, intoxicated, or exhibiting violent tendencies.
  • Handcuffing as soon as practical after arrest and before a search.
  • No handcuffing to fixed objects in transport vehicles.
  • Deputies responsible for prisoner safety, appropriate restraint.
  • Restraints never loosened to the point of allowing escape.

• Pregnant Prisoners:

  • No restraints during pregnancy confirmation through 12 weeks post-delivery, unless exceptions apply.
  • Exceptions: immediate flight risk or threat of harm, medical safety requirements.
  • Handcuffed in front in cases of exceptions.
  • Supervisor notified of identified pregnancy outside of intake.

• Searching Prisoners: Deputies are responsible for removing weapons, contraband.

  • Prisoners searched as soon as practical after arrest.
  • Each deputy responsible for searching when assuming custody/control, regardless of prior deputy searches.
  • Approved search types: standing, leaning, and kneeling searches.
  • Female prisoners searched by female deputies.
  • Purses, baggage, etc. searched by all deputies in custody.

• Protection of Prisoners: Arrest and transport deputies ensure prisoners' safety, health, and protection from harm.

• Transporting Prisoners:

  • Transfer points should be logical and well-lit, direct route to jail, no handcuff exchange during transfer unless feasible.
  • No stops other than for transfer or if explicitly authorized by supervisor.
  • Female/Juvenile considerations during transport with adults.
  • Time checks, mileage reporting from dispatch, required in case of transport vehicle issues.
  • Immediate reporting if vehicle breaks or becomes inoperable.
  • Responsible deputies for safeguarding prisoner property.
  • Procedures for inventorying and handling for items for prisoner's property.

• Injured/Sick Prisoners/Juveniles:

  • Medical evaluation before transport to JIAA.
  • Clear procedures for serious injuries, ambulance transport.
  • Juveniles directed to detention center with notification of custodian, reason, etc.
  • Prisoners diverted to CID when necessary; additional security procedures in place.

• Mental Health Pre-Screening:

  • Deputies pre-screen arrested persons for mental health issues using a four-question checklist.
    • Pre-screening questions include, have you been diagnosed with a mental condition, current use of medication, suicide attempts, and current suicidal thoughts.
  • Responses documented during booking.