Inmate Housing Assignments

• Procedures provide a consistent method for assigning inmates to housing units and recording related information at Washoe County Sheriff's Office.
• The main goal is to determine appropriate inmate housing based on facility safety and security.
• Placement considers inmate risk assessment, facility needs, and threats identified during booking which are identified through intake questionnaires, medical screening, criminal history, and behavior.
• This policy applies to all Detention Personnel.

Definitions

• ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) is a federal law protecting individuals with disabilities from discrimination, applying to inmates with physical or mental impairments that significantly limit major life activities.
• Cell/Bunk Restriction is an assignment based on medical advice, restricting an inmate to a specific cell, lower bunk, can be temporary or last for the inmate's stay.
• Infirmed refers to inmates who are physically or mentally weak, often due to age or illness, with medical personnel assisting in their classification.
• In-Transit describes temporary inmates/prisoners housed overnight for certified prisoner transport companies, outside law enforcement, or federal agencies.

Housing Assignment Procedures

• After booking, initial housing is determined through medical evaluation, classification questionnaire, criminal history review, and current charges.
• Inmates are first assigned to an assessment intake unit until the Inmate Management Unit (IMU) approves movement.
• New inmates undergo tuberculosis screening and remain in the assessment unit until medically cleared.
• Assignment to a Special Housing Unit requires meeting specific criteria.
• General Housing is the standard option if Special Housing requirements aren't met.

Escorting Inmates

• After clothing/property procedures, the Intake Deputy gets linen and escorts inmates to Area Control.
• The Intake Deputy will notify the receiving housing unit about the number of inmates and any cell/bunk restrictions via radio.
• Inmates must walk with their right shoulder against the wall and stop/face the wall when personnel approach.
• Inmates must not talk in the halls.
• Inmates must stop at red lines and doorways.
• Inmates must only use in-cell intercoms for emergencies.
• An Intake Deputy will escort new inmates to their housing unit and assist housing unit deputies.

Housing Reception

• Upon arrival, the Housing Unit Deputy records the inmate details on the Shift Activity Log and movement card.
• Deputies will assign cell/bunk assignments for inmates with restrictions first.
• The Housing Unit Deputy records the date and cell assignment on the movement card, placing a yellow sticker if the inmate hasn't been cleared for tuberculosis.
• The Housing Unit Deputy files the movement card in a designated book according to cell assignment.
• The Housing Unit Deputy uses the Corrections Management System (CMS) to assign the inmate to the housing unit and cell.
• All inmates must watch the inmate orientation video before leaving the assessment unit, if not already seen in the Intake Lobby.
• All inmates need to show they understand facility rules before moving from assessment housing.

Special Housing Requirements

• The Watch Commander, Shift Sergeant, or IMU can place inmates in restrictive housing for the safety of themselves or others.
• A CMS report must occurs when inmates are moved to special/restrictive housing, except for Inmate Routers from IMU.
• The IMU interviews inmates in special housing within 72 hours of placement to assess the circumstances, ex: combative inmates who are put in administrative status and evaluated by the IMU.
• Inmates requesting protective custody are placed in Administrative Status until an IMU interview.
• Inmates with current sexual charges involving minors or a history of such charges are put in Administrative Status, pending an IMU interview.
• Inmates may be kept separate for various reasons, including being rival gang members, co-defendants, known enemies, family members, or current/former law enforcement.
• All kept-separate inmates are placed in Administrative Status until an IMU interview.

In-Transit Inmates

• They can't use phones during booking unless they have no restrictions and the Intake Sergeant approves.
• The Deputy at Station 2 notes phone permission on the Inmate Movement Card.
• In-transit inmates with phone restrictions are placed in Intake holding cells until processing continues under supervision.
• They are placed in a Special Housing Unit in Administrative Status pending IMU review.
• A CMS report will be written outlining restrictions like no calls or keeping separates.
• The IMU Sergeant reviews the status of all in-transit inmates and manages housing changes.
• In-transit undergo an unclothed search per SOP 707 upon entering Intake.
• The Intake Deputy prepares the initial classification for in-transit inmates held longer than 24 hours.
• After 24 hours, they can make calls from the housing unit.
• In-transit inmates are denied calls and visits 24 hours before pickup.
• They can receive commissary, visitation, and money for commissary purchases five days after booking.

Infirmed Inmates

• Inmates with mental or medical conditions that would prohibit their placement will be placed in the Infirmary or Special Needs Unit as directed by medical personnel or the Intake Sergeant, per SOP 704.2.
• Male and female inmates are housed in separate cells.
• If the Special Needs Unit is full, IMU may designate an alternative unit.
• Use the infirmary only if wide open.
• Housing Unit Four and the Intake Housing unit should be considered before the Infirmary.

Weekend and Intoxicated Inmates

• Inmates with weekend commitments (48 hours) are processed and housed in an intake unit based on gender identity.
• Intoxicated inmates are not moved to general housing until deemed appropriate and able to care for themselves.
• Inmates on "detox" have marked cards with cell/bunk restrictions and "detox" in red ink by medical staff.

Interim Dayroom Bunking

• Dayroom bunking can be activated by the Watch Commander if inmate population exceeds housing capacity plus temporary bunks in a cell is OK.
• Two-person bunk units should be concentrated and if two-person bunks are unavailable, temporary bed platforms may be utilized.
• For housing units, one cell must be left open for toilet access for every twelve inmates in the dayroom.