Lesson 8 Escorting Inmates PDF

Lesson 8 Escorting Inmates Lesson Goal You will know how to safely escort an inmate within and outside of a correctional facility. Think About This Escorting inmates requires the use of officer safety procedures to ensure the safe and timely move- ment of an inmate from one location to another....

Lesson 8 Escorting Inmates Lesson Goal You will know how to safely escort an inmate within and outside of a correctional facility. Think About This Escorting inmates requires the use of officer safety procedures to ensure the safe and timely move- ment of an inmate from one location to another. Escorting may be as simple as walking with a single unrestrained inmate from different locations or as complex as accompanying a group of fully restrained inmates. Escort Considerations An escort is the movement of an inmate from one point to another accompanied by an officer or staff member. You may conduct two types of escorts in a correctional setting. Internal escorts are conducted within the facility’s secure perimeter. External escorts occur outside the secure perim- eter of the facility. ✅ CO608.1. Count and search inmates to begin the escorting process You will receive oral or written instructions to escort inmates, including which inmates will be escorted and their destination. Inmates must be positively identified before departing. Take an accurate count of the inmates and notify appropriate staff of the number of inmates to be escorted and their destination. The reason for an escort, the number of inmates, and the inmate classifica- tion may determine the number of officers needed for the escort and the level of physical restraint required. Reasons for an escort may include medical, workgroup assignments, mental health services, and visitation. Additional staff may also be necessary. Before escorting an inmate, conduct a frisk for weapons or contraband. Some facilities require strip searches when inmates are escorted outside of or returning to the facility. To ensure the safety of the inmates, consider any limitations and the physical condition of the inmate to be escorted, such as missing limbs, paralysis, obesity, prosthetic devices, crutches, or wheelchairs. All medical equipment or prosthetic devices require a search for contraband. You should not, however, pay attention only to disabilities, as extraordinarily physically fit inmates should also be of concern. Inmates who have acute or chronic medical conditions or serious injury may require additional specialized equipment during an escort. Examples include inmates with respiratory illness, broken limbs, gunshot wounds, cardiovascular diseases, and mental illness. ✅ CO608.2. Escort inmates while maintaining facility safety and security standards Stay aware of your surroundings at all times while escorting an inmate. Position yourself to the rear and slightly to one side of the inmate to control movement. Escorting officers should be familiar with diversionary tactics of inmates. During movement, contraband may be introduced, the inmate 182 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1 may commit battery, or the inmate may attempt to escape. Some equipment that officers may use while escorting inmates includes handcuffs, leg-irons, waist chains, and restraint chairs. Escort techniques and equipment are further discussed in the Defensive Tactics portion of the curriculum. ✅ CO608.3. Complete escorting inmates to include documentation After completing the escort, confirm that the number and identity of the inmates arriving at the destination match the original record of the inmates departing. Contact the appropriate staff member to notify them of the escort’s completion, and document the escort as required. External escorts could be an outside work detail, a chase vehicle following an ambulance, or any other escort outside the security perimeter of the facility. Follow agency policies and procedures with external escorts. Chapter 6 Supervising in a Correctional Facility / 183 Lesson 9 Transporting Inmates Lesson Goal You will be able to transport inmates of all classifications while maintaining safety and secu- rity standards. Think About This Moving an inmate from one area to another, even if only from the facility to a courtroom, presents a potentially dangerous situation. Many inmates try to use the time between locations, and outside of the facility’s gates, to attempt an escape. You will need to know the security issues that arise with transporting inmates to prevent risk to yourself and the community. Transport is defined as moving an inmate from the confines of a secure facility to another location outside the facility. Inmate transport is a routine operation. Be continually aware of your surround- ings during inmate transport, including inmate behaviors, the public, the transport vehicle, other vehicles, traffic, and the security at the destination. Other potential security issues you may encoun- ter include vehicle accidents, mechanical failure, or interaction with the general public. Reasons for inmate transport include medical treatments at local facilities or offices, transfers, work assign- ments, confinement, and required court appearances within and between jurisdictions. Choosing a Transport Vehicle ✅ CO609.1. Know the function of each type of inmate transport vehicle There are several types of transport vehicles with specialized security or accommodation equip- ment. These may include: a transport bus or van with cages, extra locks, and isolation seats a van with negative pressure ventilation and wheelchair accessibility a car with cages Determine what type of transport vehicle is required by considering how many inmates are to be transferred; the custody levels, gender, and special needs of the inmates; and the purpose of the transport. You may need to segregate inmates in separate vehicles or separate compartments within the transport vehicle. The following groups of inmates must be transported in separate compartments: male and female inmates, juveniles and adults, high-profile inmates, and violent inmates (who must be separated from others). Whenever possible, transport inmates in secure compartments without access to the driver. 184 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1 Figure 6-1 Interior of a transport van Figure 6-2 Example of a typical transport vehicle with partitions and screens Lower-custody inmates, such as those assigned to workgroups or squads, may be transported in vehicles without cages and partitions. Certain custody levels require transport vehicles with secure cages and partitions; these types of transports may also require trailing or chase vehicles. A trailing or chase vehicle is an armed escort vehicle used to follow or trail a transport vehicle to provide additional security. These vehicles are often used when the transport is a high-level threat, such as when transporting a death-row inmate. Transport Vehicle Inspection and Search ✅ CO609.2. Inspect an inmate transport vehicle for safety and contraband It is your responsibility to systematically inspect the transport vehicle for mechanical deficiencies and possible security breaches, and to make sure the vehicle is properly equipped and in good working order. Make sure that the vehicle is fueled, fluid levels are sufficient, and tires are prop- erly inflated. Check that all equipment functions properly, including the radio, issued cell phone, brakes, spare tire and jack, horn, lights, seat belts, wipers, mirrors, security equipment, and locks. Some agencies may require equipment such as safety reflectors, a fire extinguisher, or a first-aid kit. Document the inspection results on the designated agency-approved form. Note any deficien- cies and, if necessary, submit a work order. Notify your supervisor if further instructions are neces- sary. Any discrepancies should be corrected. Do not use the vehicle until repairs are performed. Apply systematic area search techniques to the inside and outside of the transport vehicle. These searches are done to make sure there is no contraband present before and after inmate trans- port. Pay particular attention to the secure compartments where the inmates will be or have been seated. Common components of the vehicle, such as bolts, screws, and parts of seat belts, can be removed quickly and without notice. Such items can be made into weapons or other contraband. Chapter 6 Supervising in a Correctional Facility / 185 Security Issues ✅ CO609.3. Park an inmate transport vehicle while maintaining safety and security standards When the vehicle has entered the designated area, such as a sally port, secure the inmates in the vehicle. When loading or unloading inmates from a non-secure area, such as a hospital, tactically position the vehicle to prevent escape or ambush. If you observe security concerns, contact a supervisor or local law enforcement for assistance. Figure 6-3 Examples of typical security restraint devices used on inmates during transport Generally, keep all inmates restrained during transport. However, you must not restrain inmates to the vehicle except by the use of standard seat belts and shoulder harnesses. An inmate’s custody level will determine the level of restraint required during transport. You must take the limitations and physical attributes of the inmate into consideration when determining the types of restraints to use. ✅ CO609.4. Know the functions of the different types of inmate transport vehicle security devices The various security restraint devices that can be used on an inmate when in transport include hand or ankle cuffs, waist chains or cuffs, black boxes (hard interlocking cover for handcuffs and waist chains), leg braces, and an electronic control belt. Transport vehicle security devices, such as security cages, partitions, and screens, are all physical barriers installed in vehicles to segregate the various types of inmates as well as separate the inmates from the officers. 186 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1 Transport Documentation ✅ CO609.5. Know the role of inmate transport documents Before departing, make sure you have the proper authorization and documentation to transport the inmate(s). These documents may include a court order, court docket, face sheet, transport request, or TWIX (a Department of Corrections computerized message). A face sheet is a docu- ment with a current picture of the inmate, name, inmate identification number, physical descrip- tion, incarceration date, date of birth, end of sentence date, and custody level. Once you have verified transport documents, confirm the identity and total number of inmates. Check the count at departure and again at arrival. You must make certain that all required trans- port documentation goes with you to the destination. Securing the Inmate and Staff Notification of Transport An important part of the transport process is searching the inmate. Remove the inmates identified for transport from the general population and move them to a secured area. ✅ CO609.6. Secure the inmate in the transport vehicle while maintaining safety and security standards Verify that they wear proper attire, search each individual inmate before transport, and secure the inmates. Once you have properly applied security restraint devices, place the inmates in the transport vehicle. Situate the inmates in segregated compartments if required. Apply seat belts to all inmates. Officers and inmates must adhere to the Florida Safety Belt Law, and the number of inmates transported cannot exceed the vehicle passenger capacity. According to agency policies and procedures, you may be assigned a firearm and duty gear. Make sure that the firearm is in good condition and has ammunition. You should also wear available body armor. ✅ CO609.7. Transport the inmate while maintaining safety and security standards A transport plan should include a primary and an alternative route. Be aware that inmates may create diversions to provide opportunity for escape. Routine routes should be varied to reduce the risk of outside assaults. During transport, if an inmate becomes non-compliant, combative, or disorderly or complains of a medical condition, do not stop the transport. Many doctors’ offices will not see disruptive inmates. The courts are also hesitant to hold legal proceedings with inmates who cannot conform to courtroom decorum. Immediately contact your agency with all appropriate information and follow instructions. If the transport vehicle encounters any unforeseen situations, such as a vehicle crash, mechanical failure, or a problem with the primary route, immediately make sure that the inmates are secure. In such cases, contact the local law enforcement agency for assistance and notify your supervisor for further instruction. When contacting local agencies, provide as much information as possible. Chapter 6 Supervising in a Correctional Facility / 187 Maintain communication with the facility and provide necessary information during transport, such as the direction of travel, the primary and alternative routes, the number of inmates, the time of departure, the beginning and ending mileage, the destination, and the predicted time of arrival. Provide status updates and time of arrival at the destination. Information provided by the trans- port officer will be documented by the agency’s control room. Document any unusual occurrences on an agency form (incident report) and include all relevant information. In some circumstances, a transport could result in a transfer. A transfer is movement of an inmate from one housing location to another. For example, an inmate’s routine medical appointment could result in hospitalization. If this occurs, contact your agency for specific instructions. Upon conclusion of the transport, again perform a vehicle inspection and note any damage. Check the vehicle’s fluids, and make sure that the vehicle is clean, refueled, and parked in the designated area. Complete the vehicle inspection documentation as required. 188 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1