Lesson 4 Inmate Count PDF

Lesson 4 Inmate Count Lesson Goal You will be able to safely and accurately conduct different types of inmate counts. Think About This A single correctional officer is often responsible for monitoring many inmates. While it may seem simple, an effective way to keep track of these inmates is by...

Lesson 4 Inmate Count Lesson Goal You will be able to safely and accurately conduct different types of inmate counts. Think About This A single correctional officer is often responsible for monitoring many inmates. While it may seem simple, an effective way to keep track of these inmates is by counting them. Counts can alert you to an issue if the ending shift count was 50, and the beginning shift count was 49. Keeping these counts helps maintain the safety and security of the facility. Types of Counts One of the primary duties of correctional officers is counting inmates. Counts verify and account for every inmate within a facility or off-site area and are vital to security and safety. Counts are conducted at housing or cell assignments, work details, and any other location where an inmate may be, such as at the clinic, court, or dining hall. ✅ CO604.1. Know the main types of inmate counts Informal Count An informal count verifies the number of inmates in an area. These counts are done randomly by the supervisor of inmates who are on-site or off-site, such as the medical center, court, or work details, or during transport. A body count is a type of informal count that is a custody count of all of the inmates under your supervision and is only reported if an inmate is missing. Formal Count A formal count verifies the total number of inmates at a facility, accounting for all gains and losses during the day. A formal count is performed at least once per shift, and may be conducted at the beginning and end of your shift. A computer-generated roster is used to determine the actual number of inmates in a specific unit or housing assignment. Out Count This count provides accountability for the location of inmates outside their assigned housing area. Some examples are the canteen area, the dining area, workgroups (laundry, kitchen, or warehouses), the hospital, and court. These inmates are counted as part of the formal count. Master Count In a master count, positive identification of each inmate is verified through various items, such as armband identification or photo identification cards that include the facility number, and the 170 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1 inmate’s name, date of birth, sex, and race. This count is conducted a minimum of once a day at a specified time and accounts for all inmates admitted, released, returned, or detained in the facil- ity during the previous 24-hour period. Use a current computer-generated roster and compare it to the inmates’ personal identification cards or armbands. Record and document this information according to agency policies. Emergency Count Emergency counts are conducted when unusual situations arise, such as a possible escape, a distur- bance, an evacuation, or when the total count of inmates, regardless of the type of count, is not confirmed or verified with the facility total. Some agencies refer to an emergency count as a recount. Count Procedures ✅ CO604.2. Conduct an inmate count Depending on the design of the facility, a count may require two officers. You will conduct a formal count at least once per shift. You should complete a count in a timely, systematic, and accurate manner following facility policies and procedures. You must document all types of counts except informal counts. The inmates are aware that counts occur throughout the day and that the counts can be random. You will receive an order to begin the count. The inmates will know that a count is to occur by the audible notification alarm. The inmates should report back to their assigned area for the count to begin. Common steps in the count process inside the facility include: 1. The control room, a supervisor, or the daily facility schedule will begin a count. 2. The inmates will return to their assigned housing area. 3. There is a physical count of each inmate. 4. The physical count is verified by armbands or ID cards matched against a computer- generated roster. 5. The officers making the count will document and report the totals to a supervisor or the control room staff. 6. The supervisor or assigned staff members (control room) will verify the count. 7. If every inmate was present for the count, then a clear count is announced to the staff and the inmates. 8. The facility will resume its normal operations. You must physically verify the identity and presence of each inmate. Cross-check their armbands or ID cards with facility documentation. If an inmate is in their bunk with the covers pulled up, Chapter 6 Supervising in a Correctional Facility / 171 preventing you from seeing their face or verifying their identity, you must confirm that there is a live person in the cell. The inmates’ cooperation is required for an accurate count; however, there are occasions when inmates will try to disrupt the process. Some inmate behaviors that may interfere with proper count procedures include, but are not limited to, inmates talking, tapping on walls, not being at their assigned bunks, wearing inappropriate attire, going to the bathroom, listening to the radio, and switching identification cards. While performing a count, enforce the rules and regulations in a firm, fair, and consistent manner. Given the close proximity of the inmates during a count, stay alert and aware of your surround- ings. Maintain attention to detail to ensure an accurate count. If two officers conduct a count together, they should make sure that their count numbers match. If there is a difference, they should immediately recount the inmates in their count area before reporting the count. Report the count when the totals agree. If counts are reported from all areas in the facility and a difference is found, a recount will be conducted. If the recount does not resolve the difference, an emergency master count procedure will be announced and initiated. Use extreme caution during a recount, as an inmate may be hiding or attempting an escape. Report all count information to the appropriate supervisor or personnel for verification. Once the numbers are accurate, a clear count will be announced over the communication system of the facility. Once the count is cleared, the facility will resume normal operation. Count Slip ✅ CO604.3. Document an inmate count using a count slip A count slip is a form used to document inmate counts. There may be two types of count slips: a dormitory count slip and a formal count slip. The dormitory count slip includes the total number of inmates in a housing area, and your signature. The formal count slip may include the following information: facility name, date, time, location, officer signature, total number of inmates counted, and time cleared. The results may be docu- mented through either an electronic or handwritten form and forwarded to appropriate personnel. The count slip cannot contain erasures, strikeouts, or alterations. Verifying count slips completes the inmate counting process. 172 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1