classification, shall undergo at least four hours of training on the principles, procedures and instruments for classification

Transcription

1 Chapter Title Text Comment Date Proposed Date Adopted Training The plan shall provide that all staff jailers whose duties include classification, shall undergo at least four hours of training on the principles, procedures and instruments for classification In order to standardize the terminology and eliminate confusion as to who is required to undergo training before they can classify an assessments, housing assignments, reassessments and inmate inmate. needs (8) Direct Supervision The above is an example of proposed change of wording from staff to jailer to approximately 90 standards. An inmate supervision management style in which corrections officer(s) jailer(s) are stationed inside a housing unit 24 hours per day. To standardize terminology by using the term jailer in place of corrections, staff, and guard Control Room/Guard Station The above is an example of proposed change of wording from corrections officer to jailer to approximately 30 standards. Control Rooms/Guard Jailer Stations. A sufficient number of control rooms/guard jailer stations shall be provided on each floor where inmates are housed. Staff toilets and lavatories shall be located To standardize terminology by using the term jailer in place of corrections, staff, and guard within the security perimeter and in close proximity to control rooms and guard jailer stations. The above is an example of proposed change of wording from guard to jailer to approximately 40 standards Forms The commission adopts by reference Form PR-1, Monthly Paper Ready Inmate Report, Form PR-2, Monthly Paper-Ready Inmate Add web address for access to Population Forms.

2 Roster, and Form POP-2, Jail Population Report. Copies of the forms are available at the offices of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards at 300 West 15th Street, Suite 503, Austin, Texas Each sheriff shall utilize the referenced forms or similar forms, approved by the Executive Director, for submission of monthly reports Corrections Officer Pay Pay for corrections officers should be equivalent to that of other appointed deputies of similar grade, status, and/or tenure whose Delete Standard is unenforceable daily duties require frequent, close, and risky contact with violators of the law Bedding and Linens A standard issue of bedding and linens to each inmate to be detained overnight shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following clean, safe, and serviceable items: Clarify As written, standard requires bedding to be issued to inmates housed overnight in holding (1) one mattress; (2) one sheet or mattress cover; (3) one towel; (4) one blanket, or more depending upon climatic conditions.

3 253.1(13) Definition Holding Cell Emergency Plan A cell designed for the temporary holding of inmates. Each facility shall have and implement a written plan, approved by the commission, for escapes, riots, assaults, fires, evacuations, rebellions, civil disasters, and any other emergencies. Each plan shall provide for: Add 48 hour limit for housing inmates in holding cells Add Reviewed and Approved; Will require a change to 16 other standards that require submission of operational plans to the Commission 279.1(2) Sanitation Plan Each facility shall have and implement a written plan, approved by the commission, for the maintenance of an acceptable level of cleanliness and sanitation throughout the facility. Such plan shall provide for: Revise Change city to public (1) a regular daily schedule for the work and inspections necessary to keep the facility clean; which schedule shall be assigned and supervised by corrections officers who have the responsibility for keeping the facility clean and making regular sanitation inspections; (2) water and sewage systems not part of a city public system and food preparation areas shall be inspected at least annually by health authorities and record kept for each inspection;

4 283.1 (F) And (E) Inmate Discipline Plan Minor and Major Infractions 1) Minor Infractions. Violations of rules and regulations which do not represent serious offenses against persons and do not pose a serious threat to institutional order and safety. Sanctions shall be limited to: Add Sanction for Restitution for damage to jail property May also need to add definition of restitution (A) counseling; (B) verbal or written reprimand; (C) in podular, direct supervision facilities, temporary restriction to cells for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours; (D) loss of privileges for a period not to exceed fifteen days; and (E) disciplinary separation for a period not to exceed fifteen days; and (F) restitution for damage to jail property (2) Major Infractions. Violations of rules and regulations which constitute serious offenses against persons and property and pose a serious threat to institutional order and safety. Sanctions may include: (A) loss of good conduct credit; (B) loss of privileges for a period not to exceed thirty days; (C) removal from work details or programs; and (D) disciplinary separation for a period not to exceed thirty

5 days. (2) Major Infractions. Violations of rules and regulations which constitute serious offenses against persons and property and pose a serious threat to institutional order and safety. Sanctions may include: (A) loss of good conduct credit; (B) loss of privileges for a period not to exceed thirty days; (C) removal from work details or programs; and (D) disciplinary separation for a period not to exceed thirty days; and (E) Restitution for damage to jail property 253.1(16) Definition Jailer means a person appointed, employed or assigned as a county jailer whose primary duty is to maintain care, custody, and control of inmates as listed under the provisions of Local Government Code ; Government Code ; Add Current standards do not contain a definition for jailer. A definition will clarify the various duties of individuals in the jail. Occupations Code (2) 253.1(29) Definition Supervisor Means a person appointed, employed, or assigned by a sheriff or operator to oversee, administer, run, control, manage, supervise, direct, evaluate, or organize the activities or operations of a jail, and/or jailers, and/or inmates. Add Along with 275.2, the addition will clarify that individuals who control an inmate or their activities must be licensed Corrections Officer Training and Licensing Personnel employed or appointed as jailers or guards of county jail or personnel appointed, employed, or assigned as a supervisor shall be licensed as per the requirements of the Add supervisors in a county jail or privately operated facility must be licensed. In addition, clarifies that guards or jailers in a vendor contract

6 Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education under the provisions of the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37. Personnel employed or appointed as jailers or facility must meet the same TCLEOSE requirements as county jailers guards or personnel appointed, employed, or assigned to supervise jailers at facilities operated under vendor contract with a county or city shall be subject to the same qualifications, training, and testing procedures as county jailers licensed as per the requirements of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education under the provisions of Texas Administrative Code, Title Regular Observation by Corrections Officers Jailers Every facility shall have the appropriate number of corrections officers at the facility 24 hours each day. Facilities shall have an established procedure for visual, face-to-face observation of all inmates by corrections officers at least once every hour, including inmates in the care, control, or custody of non- Add and clarifies jailers must conduct hourly face toface observation of inmates even when inmates are in the custody of other staff. jailer staff such as, but not limited to, bailiffs, kitchen staff, maintenance of medical personnel. Observation shall be performed at least every 30 minutes in areas where inmates known to be assaultive, potentially suicidal, mentally ill, or who have demonstrated bizarre behavior are confined. There shall be a two-way voice communication capability between inmates and staff at all times. Closed circuit television may be used, but not

7 in lieu of the required personal observation (6) Definition Correctional Facility Means a facility operated by a county, a municipality, or a private vendor for the confinement of a person arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a criminal offense. May be referred to as facility Add Correctional facility not currently defined in standard; proposed definition is currently in TCJS enabling statute Government Code (7) Definition County jail Complaints Request for Information Means a facility operated by or for a county for the confinement of persons accused or convicted of an offense. May be referred to as a jail or facility Facilities that have a complaint filed against them may be required by the commission to provide information and/or respond to the accusations contained within the complaint. Sheriff/operators or their designee shall acknowledge the request for information or provide a written response to the Add Correctional facility not currently defined in standard; proposed definition is currently in TCJS enabling statute Government Code 511 Add Addition of this standard will allow commission staff to find jails in non compliance if a jail does not provide requested response, documents or information commission within a reasonable time frame specified by the commission, usually 10 business days. Urgent complaints may require an immediate response.

8 251 Definitions Allied Health Personnel-Means licensed health professionals that are involved with the delivery of health of related services pertaining to the identification, evaluation and prevention of diseases and disorders; dietary and nutrition services, and rehabilitation and health systems management (e) Privacy Shields Inmate toilet and shower areas in dormitories, multiple occupancy cells, single occupancy cells, holding cells, and day rooms shall be configured or equipped to provide reasonable privacy from exposure to persons outside the cell. Privacy shields shall extend from about 15 above the finished floor to about 5 high and shall be securely anchored Food Passes Food passes shall be provided and should shall not be less than 15 inches wide and four and one-half inches high. Lockable shutters should be provided to prevent passage of contraband. Add Current standards do not contain a definition for Allied Health Personnel which is referenced in Delete wording to allow flexibility during the plan review process and to address the situations that arise when reviewing and inspecting direct supervision housing units. Include wording to clarify the intent for all cells to be provided with a food pass and the dimensions required.