Florida Corrections Training: Chapter 5, Lesson 2: Searching and Inventorying (PDF)

Lesson 2 Searching and Inventorying Lesson Goal You will be able to search inmates and their property and accurately document their per- sonal property. Think About This An inmate enters intake/reception and you conduct a search. A few hours later, you learn that a knife fell from the inmate’...

Lesson 2 Searching and Inventorying Lesson Goal You will be able to search inmates and their property and accurately document their per- sonal property. Think About This An inmate enters intake/reception and you conduct a search. A few hours later, you learn that a knife fell from the inmate’s pocket. What went wrong? What could have happened if the inmate’s knife hadn’t fallen from his pocket? What should have been done differently during intake? Examining and Searching Inmate and Property When admitted to a county or state facility, inmates and their property are searched thoroughly and systematically. Searches are essential to the safety and security of the facility and are conducted according to policies and procedures. ✅ CO502.1. Search an inmate during intake/reception Searches of an inmate are gender specific (male officers search male inmates; female officers search female inmates) unless emergency situations require otherwise. Before searching inmates and their property, you must confirm the inmate’s identity using agency-approved forms of identification. Do not assume that a prior search was conducted by another officer. Search all inmates entering the facility at intake/reception. At county facilities, strip searches are to be conducted only in accordance with s. 901.211, F.S. In state facilities, strip searches may be conducted on inmates entering or exiting the facility and may be conducted at any time to discourage the introduction and movement of contraband. To prevent the introduction of contraband, use a method of pat searching inmates. Wearing dispos- able gloves, search outerwear, such as jackets or layered clothing, then remove and place the piece(s) of clothing out of the inmate’s reach before continuing the search. Check clothing carefully; systematically look for tears or hidden compartments in clothing and footwear in which small items or drugs could be hidden. Remove and inspect footwear insoles and the part of the shoe under the insole. Turn footwear upside down and shake or knock it against a hard object to dislodge any contraband that may be hidden inside. ✅ CO502.2. Conduct a thorough search of inmate property Remove and inspect all items from wallets, pocketbooks, backpacks, or any other articles associ- ated with the inmate. Instruct the inmate to take off any jewelry, including body piercings. Exam- ine rings, necklaces, bracelets, and watches for disguised or concealed contraband. You will learn more about conducting a pat down in Defensive Tactics. Chapter 5 Intake and Release / 141 Check any prescription medication containers to ensure that the name on the container is the inmate’s. Treat loose medication or medication not in a labeled prescription container as contra- band; handle this according to facility policy. Also check that credit cards, bank cards, driver’s license, and ID cards match the inmate’s name. If not, bring these items to the attention of a supervisor. Inventorying and Documenting Property Methods of documenting inmate property vary among facilities; however, all require some type of recordkeeping for items an inmate has in their possession. ✅ CO502.3. Know how to inventory and document inmate property based on the four destinations There are four destinations for inmate property: destruction for items considered contraband retention by the inmate as specified in facility policies storage until the inmate is released mailed to the inmate’s designated recipient During intake/reception, inventory each item and note the exact number of every item. Whenever possible, inventory the inmate’s property in their presence. When dealing with multiple inmates, make sure that the property being inventoried belongs to the correct inmate. Check all non-clothing items to make sure that they are not tampered with and are in their original form. Make sure the item is not considered contraband by facility regulations. Dispose of contra- band according to facility policies and procedure. The Florida Statutes allow additional criminal charges to be made against an inmate who introduces contraband into the facility. ✅ CO502.4. Know the types of property inmates are allowed to keep while in custody Inmates are limited in what property they can keep in their possession. Generally, facility policies and procedures permit inmates to keep: religious materials legal paperwork pertinent to the inmate’s case (search but do not read; remove paper clips, staples, and any other contraband before returning the paperwork) medically necessary items as cleared by medical staff (such as artificial limbs, wheelchairs, or braces) photographs (allowed but limited in quantity and content, as determined by facility poli- cies and procedure) personal hygiene items 142 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1 ✅ CO502.5. Inventory and describe property that will be stored until an inmate’s release Be as specific as possible when inventorying and describing property that may be stored until an inmate’s release. Be sure to: List all clothing by type and color. List jewelry by item, description, and color. Use terms such as “yellow” or “white metal with clear stones.” Avoid determining value. List watches by brand name, if known. Record any missing stones, damage, or abnormalities to the property. Make sure that all forms of identification (for example, photo ID, Social Security card) are in the inmate’s name. List credit and debit cards, bank cards, checks (may include check numbers but not account number), and other monetary instruments by name and issuing bank. Record money by denomination and amount, for example, “two $20 bills, one $10 bill, two $5 bills, and three quarters for a total of $60.75.” Some agencies require a second person to verify cash amount. Deposit money in the inmate’s account. List the number of keys an inmate has in their possession and describe the key chain or key ring, if one is present. List cell phones or other electronic devices by brand and note the overall condition. Turn off devices and remove the battery before storing. After you document the inmate’s property, review the form with the inmate to make sure that all items are accounted for. The inmate and officer should sign and date the property inventory form. If the inmate refuses to sign the property inventory form, note the refusal; a second officer will verify the inventory and sign the form. Once an inmate’s personal property has been inventoried and documented, deliver it to a desig- nated property room according to agency policies and procedures. Some facilities require inmates to release their property to a specific individual or mail it to a recipient away from the facility at the inmate’s own expense. Many facilities have assigned property officers who are responsible for the storage and final disposition of property. The property officer is accountable for storing all property, making sure that the property room is secured at all times, inventorying property, and documenting the delivery or release of all property. Facility-Issued Items ✅ CO502.6. Understand that hygiene items must be searched before issuing to an inmate Hygiene items such as bath soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, shampoo, comb, and toilet paper are issued to inmates when they enter a facility. Review policies and procedures for the allowable types and amounts of agency-issued items. Chapter 5 Intake and Release / 143 You must check the items issued for contraband before giving them to the inmate. Document the issuance of hygiene items in accordance with policies and procedures. ✅ CO502.7. Know the importance of checking an inmate’s identity when issuing hygiene items Sometimes an inmate tries to use another inmate’s identification to get more hygiene items. To prevent this, check the inmate’s ID card, armband identification, or wristband identification to confirm that the photo matches the inmate being issued hygiene items. 144 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1