Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO) PDF

Lesson 4 Contraband Lesson Goal You will be able to detect contraband and follow the appropriate processing and disposal procedures. Think About This Contraband is dangerous within a correctional facility. Inmates often use contraband items to harm other inmates, officers, or themselves; cont...

Lesson 4 Contraband Lesson Goal You will be able to detect contraband and follow the appropriate processing and disposal procedures. Think About This Contraband is dangerous within a correctional facility. Inmates often use contraband items to harm other inmates, officers, or themselves; contraband may also be used to attempt an escape, create a disturbance, damage property, and even spread infectious diseases. The control and proper dis- posal of contraband are extremely important to both your position as an officer and to the safety and security of your facility. As defined in Chapter 1, contraband is any unauthorized article or any authorized article in exces- sive quantities or altered from its original state. This includes an inmate giving authorized items to another inmate. ✅ CO304.1. Know the correctional officer’s duty to control contraband Correctional officers are tasked with preventing, controlling, and disposing of contraband through regular and irregular searches. Drugs, firearms, and knives are all obvious safety and security concerns. However, the presence of cell phones, unauthorized food, clothing, or any contraband item poses a breach in security that endangers staff, visitors, and inmates. Even if seemingly minor contraband makes its way into the facility, there is a high likelihood that more serious contraband may be introduced in the same way. ✅ CO304.2. Know the categories of contraband Contraband can be categorized as either nuisance or hard/hazardous. Nuisance contraband is any authorized item found in excessive amounts or altered from its original state that usually does not pose an immediate threat to the safety or security of the staff, inmates, and facility. Nuisance contraband includes excessive clothing, linen, laundry items, canteen and hygiene items, photos, reading materials, over-the- counter medication, and letters. Be aware, however, that some nuisance contraband can be used to create hard/hazardous contraband. Hard/hazardous contraband is any item that poses a serious threat to the safety and secu- rity of the staff, inmates, and facility. Firearms, homemade Figure 3-1 A handmade shank 94 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1 knives (shanks), other weapons, drugs, alcoholic beverages, toxic materials, prescription medica- tion, inhalants, cell phones, and electronic devices that store or receive data are examples of hard/ hazardous contraband. ✅ CO304.3. Know common inmate weapons Inmates can be very creative and have ample time to think of ways to make weapons. Any item can be used as a weapon. Shanks are the most common inmate weapon and can be made from almost anything. Many common items can be turned into weapons. Sports equipment, food service equipment, office supplies, liquid substances (bleach, urine), toothbrushes, disposable razors, heavy objects placed in a sock, and writing utensils can all be used as weapons. ✅ CO304.4. Know the common methods of introducing contraband into correctional facilities Contraband may enter correctional facilities by various means. Inmates, visitors, vendors, and even staff can conceal contraband in their clothing, on their person, or in other items. Other methods of introduction are through body cavities, mail, canteen or commissary items, and deliveries. For example, an inmate may personally know one of the food delivery drivers and ask the driver to bring in contraband. The contraband is then introduced into the facility within the food items. Or the inmate might ask the driver to take contraband out of the facility and deliver it to someone on the outside. Detection of Contraband Detecting and recognizing contraband are important means of controlling and minimizing its intro- duction and presence in a facility. ✅ CO304.5. Understand methods of detecting contraband Some search methods used to detect contraband are: visual search—visually scanning for contraband items pat down—physically frisking a subject in a predetermined pattern to locate weapons or other types of contraband clothed search—physically patting and squeezing the clothing of a person in a systematic pattern, following the quadrant search approach; used in a secure environment custodial search—physically patting and squeezing the clothing of a person in a system- atic pattern; used when a subject is taken into custody in an unsecured environment cell or area search—visually and physically inspecting an area in a systematic manner metal detection—using electronic devices to detect a metal object on or within a person or concealed within an item strip search—visually searching an unclothed person and physically searching their clothing Chapter 3 Officer Safety / 95  vehicle search—visually and physically inspecting a vehicle to locate contraband body cavity search—visually and physically inspecting body openings; such searches are to be conducted by medical staff only Collecting Contraband When contraband is located and identified, the items must be removed or secured immediately. General practices should be followed when collecting contraband. ✅ CO304.6. Know the process of collecting, processing, and disposing of contraband Always use universal precautions and personal protective equipment (gloves, mask) when search- ing for and collecting contraband. Never taste or smell any material found in a facility or handle suspected contraband more than is absolutely necessary. Contraband could contain body fluids, communicable diseases, or toxic chemicals. Confiscate the contraband and store or dispose of it according to your agency’s policies and procedures. The way the item is removed depends on whether the contraband is nuisance or hard/hazardous. All contraband must be identified, confiscated, and documented. Confiscating excessive supplies (such as extra clothing or sheets) is handled differently than confiscating a weapon. Contraband may be kept as evidence if it is part of an investigation, is used in the commission of a crime, or is required for disciplinary proceedings. How you process contraband could determine the outcome of an investigation; mishandling these items may compromise the value they have as evidence. It is also important to document the chain of custody, which you will recall from Chap- ter 1 is the witnessed written record of all individuals who have handled the evidence since its collection. Common types of contraband stored as evidence may include weapons, illegal drugs, or items used in a serious incident or commission of a crime. Officers should take special care to follow the protocols of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), such as securing the clothing of the victim and the suspect and DNA collection. Chain of custody and inventory forms help ensure a complete and comprehensive contraband collec- tion process. It may be necessary to issue a receipt to the appropriate individuals for confiscated unauthorized personal items. Contraband is commonly stored in paper or plastic bags, boxes, or storage bins in a secured, locked area inaccessible to inmates. Label the container with the inmate’s name and identification number, and document where it will be stored. Documentation ✅ CO304.7. Know how to photograph contraband When hard or hazardous contraband is found, it may be necessary to photograph it before confis- cation, storage, or disposal. Failure to photograph and properly document contraband could nega- tively impact the legal process and hinder disciplinary actions. Initiate the chain of custody for narcotics, weapons, and other dangerous items. These items should always be photographed for possible presentation in criminal proceedings. 96 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1 ✅ CO304.8. Know how to document the confiscation and disposal of contraband When documenting the confiscation and disposal of contraband, follow your agency’s policies and procedures. Documentation may include an inventory of the contraband and an incident report. Include as many details as possible, such as where the contraband was found, descriptions of what was found, quantity, and method of disposal. Disposition ✅ CO304.9. Understand the final disposition of contraband The final disposition of contraband includes either immediate disposal or storage for future inmate disciplinary action, case reference, or training purposes. Document the final disposition of the collected contraband. In some instances, final disposition may involve outside investigators. For example, when a visitor attempts to introduce contraband into or remove contraband from a facil- ity, local law enforcement may handle disposition. Disposal ✅ CO304.10. Know the appropriate receptacles for contraband disposal You must get authorization before disposing of contraband. If you find nuisance contraband in common areas and cannot link it to an inmate, confiscate and process it according to your agency’s policies and procedures. These items may be disposed of in receptacles, trash bins, or incinerators not accessible to inmates. ✅ CO304.11. Know contraband disposal methods You must forward personal property considered contraband to the inmate property storage area. According to your agency’s policies and procedures, these items may be released or mailed to the inmate’s family. Hard/hazardous contraband must be stored as evidence in a secure location. For example, with most agencies, a tattoo gun may be photographed and stored. Never receive or take for personal use any contraband. ✅ CO304.12. Know contraband items that need special disposal Items that require special disposal include: money—although some facilities allow inmates to have money up to a specified amount, many do not allow it at all. You should count confiscated money in the presence of the inmate. Staff should sign and give a receipt to the inmate. The money may be deposited into the Inmate Welfare Fund or the inmate’s personal account. Money is not thrown away. medication—you must confiscate any unauthorized medication or authorized medication in excessive amounts. The facility’s medical staff or the issuing authority should determine the appropriate method of disposal. Chapter 3 Officer Safety / 97  illegal drugs—the discovery of illegal drugs in a correctional facility may lead to criminal charges. Illegal drugs should be held as evidence by the investigating agency. weapons—possessing a weapon may result in criminal charges. This requires holding the weapon as evidence. biohazardous materials—materials such as a tattoo gun needle or soiled bedsheet may contain blood or body fluids. Place these items in the appropriate biohazard containers or bags and follow your agency’s policies and procedures to dispose of them. 98 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1