Corrections Academy

what are the main objectives of security in a correctional facility?

-to maintain order -to prevent contraband -to prevent escapes

deliberate indifference to medical needs

-unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain through refusal of medical care by correctional or medical staff, or intentionally delaying or interfering with the treatment

what factors indicate an elevated risk for an inmate to commit suicide

-young age -single -caucasian -male -past history of psychiatric diagnosis -serving long sentences

signs/symptoms of MRSA

1) MRSA lesions are often mistaken for spider bites, pimples, or other minor skin problems 2) they ay start as a bump that is red, swollen, painful, warm to the touch, full of pus, or accompanied by a fever

how MRSA is spread

1) MRSA usually spreads by direct contact with infected skin, but it can also be spread by touching materials or surfaces that had contact with infection, including drainage (eg. pus) 2) MRSA is easily spread because of the direct contact commonly occurring in the correctional facilities (eg. shaking hands, fights, searching an inmate, using the same set of handcuffs on inmates)

symptoms of tuberculosis

1) a bad cough that lasts for 3 weeks or longer 2) pain in the chest 3) coughing up blood 4) weight loss, no appetite 5) weakness or fatigue 6) chills 7) fever 8) sweating at night

administration of discipline

1) an effective discipline system must be fair to the inmates by consistent application of the rules -the system must be fair to the officers by the creation of rules that are easily understood and able to be enforced and the support of the administration to carry out prescribed punishments -the discipline system must meet constitutional and other legal requirements -the punishment assigned to offenders is equal to the level of the violation -to be most effective, the discipline system should allow for rewards and incentives for proper conduct 2) inmates must be advised of the facilities rules in writing -written inmate rules shall specify prohibited acts of conduct and degrees of violations -inmates should be informed what conduct may result in disciplinary action -vague rules can unconstitutionally deny an inmate fair notice -inmate rules shall specify the fundamental rights that cannot be suspended except in an emergency or other condition beyond the control of the jail administrator 3) inmates must be informed of the penalties for rule violations -written inmate rules shall specify ranges of penalties -there shall be a sanctioning schedule for rule violations -the jail administrator or designee shall approve any penalty exceeding suspension of rights or disciplinary isolation for more than 120 hours -the maximum sanction for rule violations shall be no more than 60 days for violations arising out of one incident -continuous confinement for more than 30 days requires the review and approval of the jail administrator or designee -jail disciplinary measures shall not include corporal punishment, discipline administered by inmates and withholding food -the use of administrative segregation as a penalty shall be prohibited

lethality assessment to determine an inmates suicidal intent

1) an officer can assess a person's suicidal intent by asking questions that try to uncover the person's thoughts 2) this is represented by the LAST model -Lethality of chosen method (e.g. asphyxiation vs overdosing on pills) -Availability of chosen method- does the inmate actually possess the means to harm themselves (e.g. actually having an object from which to hang or having access to drugs vs being on constant watch or not having access to drugs) -Specificity of the plan- specific details about time, method vs vague ideas -Timing- proximity of help (e.g. cellmate present at the time of attempt vs alone, secluded place vs a place where a person would be found quickly)

EAR model (assess)

1) assess -purpose of assess: to gather the info you need about the situation and the persons condition so that you can determine the needed resolution -remember, your threat assessment is continuous -if the encounter changes and there is an imminent risk of harm, use the objective reasonableness standard to determine the a count of force necessary to gain control of the situation -recognize that the person may be overwhelmed by frightening beliefs, sounds, or other things in the environment -be patient during the encounter -determine if a rule violation or crime has been committed -if the person perpetrated a crime, your job is to gain control of the situation, which may include trying to de-escalate the person first, and then, provided that no one has been injured, investigate the crime -ask about medical history -ask about and/or look for signs of drug or alcohol use -if you are dealing with a suicidal person, gauge the seriousness of the person's intent using the LAST model -be tactful mindful, but visibly present as nonthreatening -a trained officer can conceal his/her combat ready stance while offering an empathetic tone of voice and appearing nonthreatening -if there is more that one law enforcement officer present, have one take the lead

basic rules for conducting body searches

1) be thorough and careful -your hands should pass over all clothed areas where skin cannot be seen -your fingers should pinch or squeeze all clothing with special attention to the seams -be cautious; offenders have been known to conceal sharp objects on their persons in an attempt to injure corrections officers 2) be sympathetic -when practical, start in the same place every search you conduct -have a coworker observe and critique your performance 3) take your time and concentrate -a life could be depending on your search 4) be objective -complete each body search without bias or prejudice -perform a professional search -you may wish to explain the purpose of the search and give instructions in a courteous manner, however, do not engage in conversation with the inmate and become distracted from your goal

responsibilities of a corrections officer

1) care of inmates -manage inmates and their behavior -communicate with peers and supervisors -maintain health safety and sanitation of facility and inmates 2) custody of inmates -maintain security -observe inmate conduct and behavior to prevent disturbances and escapes 3) control of inmates -direct inmate movement -maintain key, tool, and equipment control -distribute authorized items to inmates

loss of perspective

1) profile description -this person is anxious, worried, or nervous which can escalate to feeling panicked -physical symptoms include trembling, shaking, chest pain, and/or discomfort -the person could also seem overly energetic or be displaying extreme highs and lows (i.e. mood swings) during the encounter 2) de-escalation goal -bring the person's energy down -clam the person's anxiety through empathy and patience; oftentimes using a soft and calm tone encourages individuals to mirror your tone

factors that coupled with mental illness produce the greatest increase in the potential for violence

1) history of violence 2) substance abuse and dependence 3) personality disorders (e.g. antisocial disorder, conduct disorder) 4) psychotic thoughts (e.g. paranoid delusions, command hallucinations) 5) young male 6) under social stress (e.g. poor, homeless) 7) recent personal stress, crisis, or loss (e.g. unemployment, divorce, separation, victim of crime in the past year) 8) early exposure to violence (e.g. family fights, physical or sexual abuse, parent with criminal record)

report writing

1) identify the essential questions answered in a report -who -what -when -where -why -how 2) identify the requirements of a well written report -complete -factual -accurate -objective -concise -clear -grammatically and mechanically correct

factors used to determine if an inmates' rights can be limited

-is the limitation in furtherance of a compelling government interest? -what dangers are involved in granting an inmates' request? -what is the impact on the facility by accommodating the inmate? -what government interests are at stake? -is the limitation the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling request? -is the inmates' request or activity in question protected under ohio laws, federal laws, and/or constitutions? -is there an alternative means by which the inmate can exercise his/her right? are there other readily available alternatives that would not impinge upon the interests of the jail?

sympathy

-the feeling that you care about and are sorry about someone else's trouble; a state in which different people share the same interests, goals, opinions

empathy

-the feeling that you understand and share another person's emotions -empathy allows a person to understand another person's problems without feeling sorry for him or her, while in sympathy one feels pity and sorry for the person without understanding the problem

stopping yourself from being stressed out so you are not vulnerable

-a basic rule is to be aware of where the interaction with the inmate may be heading; do not let it get too personal -always remember, a criminal is a criminal

formal count

-a regular required count of all inmates in the correctional facility -normally, formal counts are done at least once per shift -general procedure; each inmate is counted at a specific location, at a specific time; all movement of inmate ceases from the time count starts until the count is cleared as correct; report each count of inmates to a central location; all reports are checked and coordinated to verify that the total count of inmates is correct; always make sure that what you are counting is a living, breathing person

understanding the inmate subculture and understanding yourself

-always remind yourself that inmates do not live by the same rules as you do -inmates will look for shortcuts -the criminal lifestyle is one of using shortcuts, circumventing the rules or laws, and attaining what they all want by the shortest, most comfortable way -inmates use their family and friends to help them manipulate officers

factors considered in determining if force is excessive in a correctional setting

-an excessive force claim under the eighth amendment requires the inmate show force was not applied in a good faith effort to maintain or restore discipline but instead was applied maliciously and sadistically to cause harm

what types of conditions or factors can affect a person's brain or metal capacity?

-brain chemistry -deterioration of the brain -developmental disabilities/intellectual (autism) -damage to the brain (blunt force or severe stress/ptsd) -unbearable situational stress -substance use disorder

what are important factors of security in a correctional facility

-classification -inspections -key and tool control -counts -emergency plans and training -control of medications and medical supplies -control of hazardous materials

controlling yourself and not becoming complacent

-controlling yourself means that you set the tone (e.g. if too many inmates are all talking at once, causing you to be distracted, you tell them to quiet down; if too many inmates are on the floor at one time, you get some back in their cells to control them -complacency happens when the facility and an officer think that everything is "okay" all is quiet and routine -an inmate who sees an officer seldom making rounds, not varying his/her routine, or talking on the telephone for much of his/her shift can guess, with some accuracy, that security is lax -inmates observe staff and they get to know work habits very well; inmates know from which end of block an officer starts his/her rounds, how long it takes, when he/she gets coffee, with whom he/she likes to talk -one of the best tools in keeping control of inmates is to simply say no in a strong, confident way, not in a nasty or abrasive way -control means not tolerating rule infractions, even minor ones

to reach the standard of deliberate indifference

-correctional officials must know of and disregard a substantial risk of serious harm to the inmates' health and safety

helping inmates to help themselves

-corrections is about problem solving, whether it is an inmates substance abuse problem, educational problems, or their critical thinking -it is also about making inmates realize that they, perhaps for the first time, must follow the rules and go through channels like everybody else -you can assist the inmates by helping them to see the tools at their disposal which let them deal with their own situations (e.g. explaining grievances, referral to programming)

corrections officer codes of ethics and conduct

-emphasize the value of public service -outline expectations for treating inmates and fostering professionalism -require that corrections officers respect the civil and legal rights of all people and refrain from any form of discrimination -prohibit corrections officers from using their positions for personal gain and accepting gifts or favors that might imply there is a corresponding obligation that is inconsistent with professional duties

describe the duties of the correctional officer during admission

-establish the identification of the escorting officer -ensure the escorting officer has secured all weapons before entering the intake area -make certain the escorting officer has the proper paperwork for admitting an arrestee for immediate physical or medical problems that could complicate, delay and/or prevent the acceptance of the arrestee -conduct a search of the arrestee; all unauthorized items shall be confiscated; confiscated items shall be listed in an inventory with an objective description and secured; follow your agencies policy with use of brand names when describing personal items; do not estimate values of items or assume you know what the object is made of (e.g. gold like watch with clear stones rather than gold watch with diamonds); money or any form of currency shall be confiscated and counted in the arrestee's presence and secured; the inmates signature shall be affixed to the completed inventory. if the signature cannot be obtained, the inventory shall be witnessed by another staff person -assuming there are no reasons to prevent/delay admission of arrestee to the jail, the arrestee can be legally committed to the facility by the officer

practicing professionalism in adhering to policies and procedures

-every staff member should be familiar with the agency's standard operating procedures manual and the handbook or manual that the inmate receives -both spell out the policies, rules, and regulations for staff and inmates -if you follow standard operating procedures and enforce the rules, you can thwart many manipulation attempts -you also must learn to be open and honest in two areas; to ask questions if you are unclear about job responsibilities, policies, or procedures; to let your supervisor know if an inmate has fooled you -one of the best defenses against inmate manipulation is teamwork, where staff work together which means watching out for each other, sharing information, and presenting a united front to the inmates

components of fire prevention

-fire inspections -maintenance of equipment and storage areas -housekeeping practices -education and training of staff and inmates -written fire plan

describe the inmate classification system

-if the classification process is accurately completed, officers are more likely to be successful in managing inmate behavior -risk is a measure of how dangerous the inmate is to himself/herself and to others. risk also is the likelihood the inmate will make an escape attempt -common criteria to evaluate risk; severity of jailed charge; detainers or hold orders; case status (e.g. sentenced, pretrial detainee); criminal history and/or possibility of additional charges during jail stay; escape history; discipline history during prior jail stays; substance abuse; age; employment; family ties -needs refer to the assessment of the inmates well physiological and psychological well being; common criteria to evaluate needs; medical condition; mental health condition; intellectual capacity; history of/or current substance abuse

when to seek assistance

-individual coping skills are not working -your friends or family notice emotional responses or behavior that differ from your normal -when you don't feel like yourself -suicidal or homicidal thoughts or plans

census count

-informal -frequent, but irregular checks to verify that all inmates under the supervision of an officer are present -done often on work details

emergency count

-infrequent -taken due to unusual circumstances; escapes, riots, disturbances

differences between apathy, sympathy and empathy

-inmates like officers who feel sympathy rather than empathy or apathy -saying that you empathize with someone about his/her predicament will cause less problems for you -for example, an inmate requests a special phone call to his mom as she is sick and he is afraid she isn't going to live long, an apathetic officer would say; "I don't care how you feel" a sympathetic officer would say; "I am sorry about how you are feeling" and an empathetic officer would say; "I understand how you feel"

warning signs of suicidal behavior in inmates

-inmates who are considering suicide may display the observable characteristics consistent with the loss of hope model -behaviors and other warning signs of immediate risk for suicide that (particularly if new or increasing) should prompt immediate action include talking about; wanting to die or kill oneself, feelings of hopelessness or having no reason to live, feeling trapped or in unbearable pain, being a burden to others, seeking revenge, looking for a way to kill oneself (e.g. asking for an increased dosage of medication) writing goodbye notes and/or giving away possessions or placing them into property, changes in sleep patterns (sleeping too much or too little) appetite and/or weight (gain or loss) mood and interactions, for example; displaying extreme mood swings, acting anxious or agitated, displaying severe aggression, showing rage, and/or behaving recklessly, withdrawing or feeling isolated -evidence that the inmate is experiencing hallucinations or delusions

maintaining a safe distance

-inmates who manipulate want officers to see them as innocent victims and objects of both desire and sympathy -many officers who resist manipulation set professional boundaries that inmates continually attempt to cross -one good example of this is the healthcare area of corrections; inmates know that many healthcare personnel, especially the new ones, treat them differently than correctional officers; be aware of inmates using sick call and describing symptoms that cannot be verified -inmates will use all types of ploys to lessen the professional distance; calling staff by their first name or nickname, to help avoid this ploy, always use a formal approach with inmates and use your title -swaying staff by compliments, flattery, or friendliness; the hidden agenda is in hoping the staff member will be flattered which inflates his/her ego, in turn, making the staff emotionally dependent on the inmates approval -a simple thank you from an inmate may be nice and sometimes sincere, but remember his/her potential agenda especially if the inmate uses phrases such as "you are the best one here" or "you are not like the others" -socializing; it may be ok to occasionally talk to inmates about neutral topics such as movies, television, or sports but if these conversations go on for a long time and you are distracted from your job, inmates will see that you are easily distracted and this may cause you to become a target -also, over socializing may result in you talking about rumors, gossip, details about personal lives or problems

case law precedent (the primary sources of inmate rights)

-the making of law through the courts interpretation of the constitution, statues and other laws -a decided case that furnishes a basis for determining later cases involving similar facts or issues -federal statues; religious land use and institutionalized persons act and prison rape elimination act (PREA) state statues- as described in the ohio revised code

jail suicide rate

-jail suicide rate is 4-9% higher than general population -jail suicide rate is 3x higher than prison suicide rate

apathy

-lack of feeling or emotion, indifference, lack of interest or concern

individual approaches to stress management

-manage responsibility -practice self awareness -have a balanced life style -apply stress reduction techniques -take time for life -humor

characteristics of inmates vulnerable to sexual assault

-mental illness or disability -physical size; the most reported abuse is from underweight and morbidly obese inmates -first time and/or younger inmates -perceived as homosexual by other inmates -prior sexual abuse victim

common categories of mental disorders

-mood -psychotic -anxiety -cognitive -substance related -personality disorders

internal influences on behavior

-officer's own ethical and moral beliefs and values -anger -greed -lust -internal rationalizations made prior to or after misconduct

basic requirements for body cavity searches

-probable cause for a warrant -conducted under sanitary conditions -by a medical professional of the same sex

external influences of behavior

-relationships with friends and family -local citizens -local media -department regulations -interdepartmental politics -agency subculture; one of the strongest influences on ethical behavior

potential characteristics of an abuser

-requests for cellmates -history of cellmates asking for transfers -change in behavior of vulnerable inmates when a specific inmate leaves the area -history of testing boundaries -history of refusing searches -has other inmates act as look outs -verbally harasses other inmates -prior history of sexual assault -has previously been victimized -poor anger management -lack of coping skills -voyeuristic/exhibitionistic behavior -serving a lengthy sentence -accustomed to incarceration -significant social status with other inmates -con artist; might entice victims into con games designed to indent the victim

duties of the first responder to a sexual assault incident

-separate the victim and abuser -preserve and protect any crime scene until appropriate steps can be taken to collect any evidence -if the abuse occurs within a time period that allows for physical evidence, request the alleged victim and alleged abuser to not take any actions that could destroy physical evidence (e.g. washing, brushing teeth, changing clothes, urinating, defecating, drinking, eating)

cumulative stress

-stress arousal that slowly builds up over time and may lead to the erosion of coping mechanisms or to a state of mental exhaustion -cumulative stress is actually a product of multiple stress events over a period of time and cannot be avoided -unlike eustress, distress and critical incident stress, you may be able to manage cumulative stress -if each individual stress event is managed in a healthy manner, you can avoid the buildup of stress and the negative byproducts it creates -sources that create cumulative stress can be both personal and professional

risk factors for suicide while incarcerated

-substance withdrawal -loss of privacy -fear of personal safety -receiving bad news from home -receiving bad news from court being placed in a special housing unit

basic rules when preparing for inmate transportation

1) do not give advance notice to inmates about specific day or time of transports -do not allow the inmate to use the phone before or during the transport; this may provide an opportunity for the inmate to plan assistance in an escape attempt 2) search all inmates yourself -a thorough search of all inmates must be done before leaving the facility -the transporting officer should check inmates personal effects for possible concealed weapons -under no circumstances should the transporting officer assume the inmate has been searched by anyone else -remember, it is your life you are protecting, so never tale anything for granted -if the inmate has been transported, he/she must be searched before getting back into the vehicle to return to the institution 3) apply all restraints yourself -every inmate taken from the institution is a potential escape threat and the officer must use restraint devices -given the right time, place, and circumstances, every inmate presents the threat of escape 4) check all restraints yourself -if they fit poorly or are not functioning properly, replace them -if you receive an inmate in restraints, assure they have been properly applied before moving the inmates -before leaving the facility, talk to the inmate to assess their frame of mind; if an inmate is displaying unusual behavior, you may have to alter or temporarily cancel the transport; this can also help you determine if you should conduct the transport with a backup officer

EAR model (engage)

1) engage - purpose of engage: to make a connection with the person so you can calm him/her -the first 10 seconds of a special populations encounter are critical in setting the tone for de-escalation - remove distractions from the scene (e.g. people who are upsetting the person, loud noises) - introduce yourself and use the inmates name - state the reason why you are there and let him/her know you are there to help - if safety is not compromised, remember that special populations encounters are medical encounters and you should begin to look for identifiers - ask questions (e.g. are you alright? or can you tell me what is bothering you?) - verbalize the subjects observable characteristics (e.g. you look angry or you look stressed) - ask the person, what help do you need right now? model calmness that you want the person to mirror - in order to make a connection and calm the situation during the engage phase, you need to b e empathetic to the persons situation or state of mind -individuals who feel they are understood are more inclined the calm down - speak softly, simply, briefly and move slowly - if there is more than one officer present, to avoid confusion, have one take the lead in communication and de-escalating the situation

differences between eustress and distress

1) eustress (i.e. a good stress) -stress that has a positive motivating force that may lead to an increase in health and performance -examples are deadlines, competition, and specialized training opportunities -from a positive standpoint, eustress is experienced as increased mental alertness and focus -positive stress tends to be short lived; after the challenge is met, the body returns to its normal state, this allows the body to recuperate and reenergize to meet the challenge 2) distress (i.e. bad stress) -negative, dysfunctional force that may lead to disease and deterioration of health -generally refers to job pressures and demands that trigger negative behaviors (e.g. losing your temper, yelling, excessive force, drug/alcohol abuse) -negative stressors have the potential to cause anxiety or concern, decrease overall performance which may be short or long term -running from crisis to crisis with little time to rest and recover in between places the sufferer in a constant state of high readiness

possible stress reactions during a life threatening encounter

1) fight -if in the position of fighting for your life or someone else's, you are already programmed to destroy that threat by any means possible -your body's autonomic nervous system is preparing for battle and/or attempting to minimize damage 2) flight -chemical changes under high stress also produce a natural urge to get away from that threat as quickly as possible -as animals of prey, we are programmed for speeding flight from danger -this reaction can be very frustrating for officers, since many times we feel this is not an option 3) freeze -the overload of stress may cause the body to lock up -freezing may be an attempt to not be perceived as a threat -much like the frustration with the flight response, this is not an option

United States constitutional amendments (the primary sources of inmate rights)

1) first amendment- protects freedom of speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition 2) fourth amendment- protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government 3) fifth amendment- rights in criminal cases and protects against self incrimination 4) sixth amendment- right to a fair trial 5) eighth amendment- protects against imposing excessive bail, excessive fines, or cruel and unusual punishment 6) fourteenth amendment- granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and provide all citizens with equal protection under the laws

the fire triangle identifies the needed components of fire

1) fuel -any solid, liquid, or gas that can combine with oxygen in the chemical reaction known as oxidation 2) oxygen -required to start burning -oxidizing agent; materials such as sodium nitrate release their own oxygen under certain conditions and can burn in an oxygen free atmosphere 3) heat -combustion requires a level of energy that will cause an increase of molecular activity within the substance's chemical structure -temperature is a measure of that molecular activity -a fuel with a sufficiently high temperature will ignite provided an oxidizing agent is present

strategies to counter implicit biases

1) guarding against its influence in decision making -recognize that everyone has biases and think critically about your own potential for biases b) seek greater awareness and more education to increase motivation to be fair c) know you are susceptible -ambiguous or incomplete information -time constraints -comprised cognitive control (high cognitive load, i.e. processing many thoughts at one time, fatigue) -result; when the above factors are present, which they often are in the corrections profession, we are more apt to switch to system 1 (automatic) thinking -response; engage deliberative processing, slow down your thinking 2) overcoming biases -recognizing your stereotypes and reflecting on why the response occurred creates a process to consider how to avoid the biased response and replace it with an unbiased one -counter stereotypic imaging; develop new associations by looking at positive examples that challenge negative associations -obtain specific information about others by intentionally engaging in a meaningful way with others who are different from you, rather than relying on stereotypical references d) be empathetic 3) effort required -intention, attention, and time are needed to build new associations well enough for them to compete with a person's implicit biases

the applications (managing behavior)

1) handle requests 2) make requests 3) reinforce behavior

types of racism

1) individual racism- internalized, unexpressed biases and prejudices based on race 2) interpersonal racism -occurs between individuals -includes public expressions of racial prejudice and hate made by individuals 3) institutional racism -race based discriminatory policies and treatment that are produced and perpetuated by institutions (ex. schools, mass media, governments, banks, etc) that result in inequitable opportunities and impacts -occurs within and between institutions -includes the discriminatory actions of individuals exercising the authority of the institution (ex. a bank loan officer, representing a banking institution, treating someone with racial bias; a corrections officer, representing a corrections institution, treating someone with racial bias) 4) structural racism -refers to the collective way history, culture and institutions reinforce and perpetuate racialized outcomes, even in the absence of racist intent -it is broadly encompassing, it touches on all aspects of society (ex. history, politics, economics) and the foundation from which the other types of racism emerge -indicators include power inequalities, unequal access to opportunities, and differing policy outcomes by race, whether or not intentional

warning signs of impending violence

1) inmates hoarding food or commissary goods 2) inmates refusing to go to recreation 3) increase in requests for protective custody 4) a sharp increase or decrease in the number of inmate grievances 5) increase in racial grouping of inmates 6) increase in sick calls and attempts to be admitted to hospital 7) inmates sending personal items out of the institution 8) a substantial change in the noise level 9) inmates wearing extra clothing at recreation 10) decrease in visitations 11) decrease in inmates interactions with staff 12) inmates warning well-liked staff not to come to work

actions that should be taken in response to an emergency

1) lock down all inmates/move inmates to a secure location 2) request additional officers to contain or isolate the situation 3) notify supervisor 4) remove non-essential staff from the surrounding areas 5) conduct an emergency count

the four categories within the LOSS model

1) loss of reality 2) loss of hope 3) loss of control 4) loss of perspective

application and removal of waist restraints, handcuffs, leg shackles and tactical considerations for inmate transportation

1) never assume the restraints are foolproof -there could be a manufacturing flaw -equipment can be faulty because of wear or damage -check restraints periodically throughout the trip to prevent lock picking or other tampering 2) increase your situational awareness when leaving and approaching a destination -always keep dispatch informed of your location -depending on the destination, the inmates stress level may be extremely high -watch for external threats; look for suspicious people or activities -pay attention to what your inmate is focused on 3) maintain a good tactical position -try to position yourself so your firearm is away from the inmate -when walking, stay behind and close to the inmate and maintain contact with him/her if possible -avoid having anything in your dominant hand 4) always keep the inmate within sight -as the transportation officer, you must always be in the same room with the inmate -some places may not want you in the same room (e.g. medical visits) as the inmate, inform them that is not an option -if you ever lose sight of the inmate, search the inmate again and check the restraints

signs of potential sexual assault victims

1) physical indicators -contraction of sexually transmitted infection (STI) -pregnancy -stomach/abdominal pain -difficulty walking and sitting -unexplained injuries 2) psychological indicators of abuse -acting out -anger -anxiety -depression -difficulty concentrating -suicidal thoughts -numbness 3) red flag indicators (i.e. indicators that should immediately arouse an officer's suspicion, especially when coupled with other physical and psychological indicators) -isolation -depression -lashing out/unusual aggression -refusal to shower -suicidal thoughts and/or actions -volunteering for isolation cell/refusal to leave a cell -refusal to enter an occupied cell or transport vehicle -change in relationship with other inmates -lingering near correctional staff -giving away commissary items regularly

the basics (sizing up the situation)

1) position 2) posture 3) observe 4) listen

what is prea?

1) prison rape elimination act -enacted to address public safety, public health and institutional violence -applies to all federal and state prisons, jails, holding facilities, and community confinement facilities -covers both staff on inmate assault and inmate on inmate assault -prevention is priority -directive mandating zero tolerance towards all sexual abuse and harassment allegations

loss of control

1) profile description -often this person may be angry, irritable, or hostile -can present himself/herself as a victim (e.g life is unfair) and he/she does not feel listened to -may be manipulative, impulsive, destructive, or argumentative -incarceration automatically takes control from the inmate and allows him/her very little opportunity to make personal decisions -loss of control is not typical inmate bad behavior or noncompliance with rules/orders; it is the inability to regain control 2) de-escalation goal and communication tactics -remain professional; do not take what he/she said personally -be aware of signs, such as clenched fists, pacing, or flushed cheeks, which may indicate potential violence -attempt to calm the person by letting him/her vent; use active listening skills -when establishing trust within these encounters, try to identify the source of the person's anger and acknowledge the emotion and give a directive

loss of hope

1) profile description -the person may be emotional, very withdrawn, fatigued, feeling overwhelmed, crying, in despair, or presenting suicidal talk or gestures -he/she may have strong feelings of being helpless, hopeless, and worthless; he/she may have experienced recent loss, especially loss of freedom 2) de-escalation goal and communication tactics -instill some hope within the encounter so that the person can be persuaded to talk to someone to seek help -instead, acknowledge how the person's view of the situation must make him/her feel -try to make eye contact -ask simple questions -cut through the fear and confusion and get the person to voluntarily comply with your request -if the person is experiencing "command voices" it is especially important for officer safety that you are aware that the "voices" may be telling the person to do something -try to understand by asking "are you hearing voices?" -if the response is yes, then ask "what are the voices telling you?"

loss of reality

1) profile description; observable characteristics -person may be frightened, confused, and have difficulty concentrating or communicating -person may appear to be experiencing delusions or hallucinations 2) de-escalation goal and communication tactics -neither validate nor deny the existence of what the person is experiencing -instead, acknowledge how the persons view of the situation must make him/her feel -try to make eye contact -ask simple questions -cut through the fear and confusion and get the person to voluntarily comply with your request -if the person is experiencing "command voices" it is especially important for officer safety that you are aware that the "voices" may be telling the person to do something -try to understand by asking are you hearing voices? if the response is yes, then ask what are the voices telling you?

use the acronym "pass" for remembering how to use a fire extinguisher

1) pull -pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher that keeps the handle from being accidentally pressed 2) aim -aim the nozzle towards the base of the fire 3) squeeze -squeeze the handle to discharge the extinguisher -position yourself approximately 8 feet away from the fire -if you release the handle, the discharge will stop 4) sweep -sweep the nozzle back and forth at the base of the fire -after the fire appears to be out, watch carefully since it may reignite

EAR model (resolve)

1) resolve - purpose of resolve: to bring the encounter to a safe resolution and to obtain the help the inmate needs - the resolution usually depends on the options that are available for you facility and per your agency's policies - possible resolutions include formal documentation in inmate log, direct referral to medical or mental health staff, and suicide watch - refer to the decision tree, which was developed to help officers guide their exercise of discretion -once you decide on a course of action; forecast your intentions to the person by telling the person what you are about to do or what will happen next (e.g. I am going to ask you to come with me or I am going to lock you in your cell) -it is important to continually communicate your actions throughout the interaction -limit the number of instructions you give at one time -speak slowly, simply, and confirm he/she understands your instructions -if you have to use force, you can expect many special populations people to have a high threshold for pain and greater than normal strength

the add ons (communicating with inmates)

1) respond to inmates 2) ask questions

hostage survival techniques

1) set goals- your main goal is survival 2) try to avoid being blindfolded or hooded 3) avoid locating yourself near Windows and doors 4) request help for injured or ill hostages -if you or anyone else is injured, ill, or needs special medication, inform the hostage takers -do it politely and if possible, in the form of a request rather than a demand 5) cooperate with the hostage takers and comply with their reasonable demands- remember you are no longer in control 6) accept your situation and be patient 7) remain calm and controlled 8) do not make suggestions to hostage takers 9) observe what is going on and try to keep mental notes to aid investigators following the incident

risk factors contributing to the high rate TB in correctional facilities

1) the physical structure of correctional facilities, which can include close living quarters, overcrowding, and the potential for inadequate ventilation 2) the interruption of therapy caused by the movement of inmates into and out of facilities and unmates returning to the community 3) language and cultural Barries, including lack of access to health information and the stigma associated with the disease 4) relatively high rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among inmates who, if coinfected with TB bacteria, are at a high risk for progressing from latent TB infection to TB disease 5) in addition to HIV, other underlying medical conditions may increase the risk that latent TB infection will progress to TB disease

demonstrate interpersonal communication and de-escalation skills

1) what will these skills do for me? - they are another tool in your toolbox for which to manage and control situations - they will help maximize your effectiveness and minimize the risks you face 2) three purposes of this training -to give you practical skills - to equip you to apply those skills in the management of inmates - to develop each of you so that you can make an effective use of your strengths as a communicator

avoiding manipulation by inmates

1) you can guard against inmate manipulation, but you cannot prevent it entirely -not all inmates are out to manipulate, some genuinely feel that they can learn to stay out of trouble -however, con artists, game players and schemers are so widespread in the correctional population that it is difficult, if not impossible, to determine which inmates are trying to be manipulative and which are not -staff must use universal precautions, treating all inmates as if they are manipulators 2) by using CHUMPS (i.e. controlling, helping, understanding, maintaining, practicing, stopping) approach, you can help keep your guard up and avoid being a chump to an inmate

administration of discipline continued

4) inmates must be informed of the process for disciplinary hearings -written inmates rules shall specify disciplinary hearing procedures -the inmate shall have a minimum period of 24 hours after receiving written notification of the rule violation(s) to prepare for the disciplinary hearing -the inmate may waive the 24 hour period -the inmate is given a hearing within 48 hours excluding holidays, weekends, and emergencies after receiving the written notification if placed in isolation or within 3 business days if the inmate is not placed in isolation some inmates might need placed in isolation without an immediate hearing pending a disciplinary action -this could be necessary to provide for the security and order of the jail -postponement of the hearing may be granted 5) disciplinary hearing requirements shall include -an impartial hearing officer appointed by the jail administrator or designee -the inmates opportunity to be heard, present evidence, and question witnesses -the questioning of witnesses is subject to limitations imposed by the hearing officer -if limitations are imposed, the hearing officer shall state the reasons for the limitations in writing -a written statement by the hearing officer provided to the inmate that includes reasons for the imposition of any penalties, a copy of the statement for the inmates file, and the selection by the jail administrator or designee of a staff person to assist an inmate when the inmate is unable to effectively communicate

administration of discipline continued

6) pre disciplinary haring requirements shall include at minimum; -a written incident report an inmates opportunity to waive, in writing, the disciplinary hearing an investigation that commences within 24 hours of the incident to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to support the charge(s) -written notification to the inmate of the nature and date of the violation within 24 hours of the alleged violation(s) or discovery of the alleged violation(s) -inmates shall be afforded an opportunity to appeal disciplinary actions to the jail administrator or designee -each jail shall have a written policy that specifies the circumstances under which a disciplinary hearing is conducted

frisk search

a thorough search or pat down of an inmates clothes and head cavities, while the inmate is still clothed

general indicators of depressant influence

a) "drunken" behavior and appearance b) uncoordinated c) drowsy d) sluggish e) disoriented f) thick, slurred speech g) unsteady or staggering (i.e. gait ataxia)

indicators of cannibas influence

a) blood shot eyes b) body tremors c) odor of marajuana d) disoriented e) relaxed inhibitions f) difficulty in diving attention

crisis

a) definition- an episode of mental and/or emotional upheaval or distress that creates instability or danger and causes behavior that is considered disruptive by the community, by friends, or family members of the person, and/or by the person b) the elements of disruption and danger are why, in these situations, many people call law enforcement rather than emergency medical services or mental health agencies c) often there is a precipitating event that triggers the crisis d) examples: an emotional event (e.g the death of a loved one, an act of violence, divorce, job loss) e) persons perception and reaction to the event -the persons perception to the event may be accurate, erroneous, or somewhere in between, regardless of the accuracy of their perception, the persons normal methods of coping ad solving problems fail, resulting in a breakdown in control, an inability to respond appropriately, and a feeling of being overwhelmed

two modes of thinking

a) deliberative thinking (system 2) -conscious -effortful -controlled -deliberative -slower b) automatic thinking (system 1) -unconscious -effortless -automatic -uses associative memory -very fast c) practical purpose- simplifies tasks (ex. driving, tying shoes) which most adults can do without having to systematically and deliberative think about each step d) protective mechanism- we evaluate everything we see and everyone we meet within 200 milliseconds to determine if something is threatening or not

general indicators of narcotic influence

a) droopy eyelids b) depressed reflexed c) dry mouth d) "on the nod" e) facial itching f) low, raspy speech g) fresh puncture marks

two classifications of jail standards

a) essential jail standard -standard that has been designated to directly support the life, safety and health of jail inmates, employees and volunteers - all full service and minimum security jails must comply with all essential jail standards b) important jail standard -standard that has been designated to support good correctional practices in training, operations, inmate services, physical plant, safety and emergency procedures, sanitation, food service, inmate rules and discipline, and other areas that address good correctional practice - all full services and minimum security jails must comply with 90% of all important standards

two types of bias

a) explicit and implicit bias- common characteristics -everyone possesses them -they have real world effects on behavior -they can relate, for example, to race, religion, gender, sexuality, disability, height, weight, or age b) explicit bias- conscious preference (positive or negative) for a social category c) implicit bias- preference (positive or negative) for a social category based on stereotypes or attitudes that we hold and tend to develop early in life and that operate outside of our awareness 1) implicit biases are related to explicit biases, but they are still distinct concepts -while the two types of biases may reinforce each other, implicit biases can be dissociated from explicit biases. our implicit biases do not necessarily align with our explicit beliefs 2)implicit biases are largely hidden from us, but their effects are pervasive and powerful 3) understanding implicit biases is important because they have the potential to impact our interactions

indicators of hallucinogen influence

a) hallucinations b) dazed appearance c) body tremors d) uncoordinated e) perspiring f) disoriented g) paranoia h) difficulty in speech i) nausea j) piloerection (i.e. goosebumps)

common causes of hostage situations in correctional settings

a) institutional conditions -inadequate food service -poor living conditions -inmate privileges -incidents of abuse of inmates by staff (real or perceived) b) actions of an inmate with a mental illness c) political causes -inmates may engage in hostage taking as a means of advancing or promoting political causes -may be perpetrated by gang members or members of defiant groups with specific goals d) as a way to escape, demanding freedom in exchange for freeing the hostage(s) e) as a result of disturbances or crisis events -as a result of a riot or other significant correctional emergency -may be a spontaneous reaction or planned -may stage a fight or riot so officers will enter a specific area to intervene, they then outnumber and overpower the officers and take them hostage

importance of monitoring an inmates withdrawal from alcohol

a) it is very important to understand that appropriate monitoring of an inmate experiencing alcohol withdrawal helps to prevent injury and/or death b) withdrawal from alcohol causes increased excitability in the nervous system leading to nausea, vomiting, sweating, shakiness, agitation and anxiety c) a medical emergency can develop when withdrawal leads to delirium tremens (DTs) involving hallucinations, confusion, disorientation, and generalized seizures d) this can also progress to high blood pressure, fast heart rate, elevated body temp, rapid breathing, and tremors; untreated DTs can lead to cardiovascular collapse

importance of adhering to the medical standards

a) offers legal protection for the officer and agency when providing the necessary care for the inmate b) can potentially reduce frivolous legal action c) improves the inmates' standard of care

personal protective equipment

a) protective gloves- carry with you and always attempt to put gloves on before you come into contact with the person you need to deal with b) hand washing - even though you wear gloves, you must still wash your hands after you remove gloves - alcohol based hand cleaners are considered effective but should not be used if your hands are visibly soiled or if hand washing is available c) eye protection, masks, and gowns can also be used if the circumstances require

relationship between race, genetics, and physical characteristics

a) race can be an easily misunderstood subject b) race is a modern concept used to classify people by similar, observable physical characteristics c) it is not, as many people think, based on genetics -despite surface appearance, humans are one of the most genetically similar of all species -within the human species, there is no distinct genetic profile that completely distinguishes one so called race from another -this is because most genetically influenced traits, like skin color, hair, eye shape, blood type, athleticism, and intelligence, are inherited completely independent of one another

general indicators of stimulant influence

a) restlessness b) talkative c) excitation d) euphoria e) exaggerated reflexes f) loss of appetite g) anxiety h) grinding teeth (i.e. bruxism) i) redness to nasal area j) body tremors

the difference between traditional encounters and a special populations encounter involving an inmate is

a) the increased need to be non-confrontational b) special populations encounters frequently benefit from a change in response to one in which de-escalation is the foundation - EAR model: the 3 phases of a special populations encounter are engage, assess and resolve (EAR) - this model was created to provide a context for the various de-escalation skills and tactics an officer can use - the following guidelines will assist you during a special populations encounter

critical incident stress

any event which has a stressful impact sufficient enough to overwhelm the usually effective coping skills 1) trauma- an emotional response to a terrible event -an event or the combination of several events that overwhelms the ability to cope -trauma is so catastrophic that it may evoke symptoms in almost anyone regardless of background -a normal reaction by a normal person to an abnormal event -the response to trauma is different for every person 2) possible responses following a critical incident -fatigue, nausea, muscle tremors, twitches -elevated blood pressure, headaches, thirst -visual difficulties, grinding of teeth, weakness -dizziness, profuse sweating, chills -vomiting, fainting -seek immediate medical attention for chest pain, difficulty breathing, symptoms of shock 3) emotional -anxiety, guilt, grief, denial, severe panic -emotional shock, fear, uncertainty, depression -loss of emotional control, agitation, apprehension -inappropriate emotional response, intense anger, feeling overwhelmed 4) cognitive -confusion, lack of attention span -poor decision making, poor concentration/memory -hyper vigilance or lowered alertness -difficulty identifying familiar objects or people -poor problem solving, poor abstract thinking -loss of orientation or awareness of time, place, or person -disturbed thinking, nightmares, intrusive images 5) behavioral -change in society, withdrawal, emotional outbursts -increase/loss of appetite, suspiciousness, pacing -change in communication skills, startle reflex -increase in alcohol consumption, inability to rest -antisocial acts, nonspecific bodily complaints -erratic movements, change in sexual functioning 6) spiritual -loss of a sense of purpose or a belief in a just world -withdrawal from faith -anger at, or doubt of the existence of god -religious/spiritual hallucinations

the decision making model takes on greater value when PLUS filters are added

p= policies- is it consistent with my agencies policies and procedures? l= legal- is the action lawful? u= universal- does it conform to the universal principles and values of my agency? s= self- does it align with my beliefs of what us right, good, and fair -plus filter should be applied at each of the following steps of the decision making model step 1- (define the problem) does the existing situation violate any PLUS considerations? step 3- (evaluate alternative solutions) do the alternatives resolve or create any PLUS considerations and if so, are the ethical trade offs acceptable? step 6- (evaluate the decision) does the solution resolve all PLUS considerations, or were unintended or unforeseen PLUS considerations created?

steps in the decision making model

step 1- define the problem, being aware that how you define the problem determines where and how you will look for solutions step 2- identify alternative solutions available to address the problem; at minimum three and ideally more than five step 3- evaluate the identified alternatives; list the pros and cons of each; differentiate between known facts and personal beliefs about the situation step 4- make the decision step 5- implement the decision step 6- evaluate the decision

what is the most important aspect of security in a correctional facility?

the correctional officer

strip search

the inspection of a naked individual without scrutinizing the subjects body cavities

when should an inmate be searched, at a minimum?

whenever entering or leaving the jail's security perimeter to control contraband