Allegany County Detention Center Detention Center Regulation Title: Special Confinement Number: #.01-P Effective Date: March 23, 2002 Revised: March 23, 2015; March 15, 2017; March 15, 2018 Approved by: Sheriff Craig Robertson General This policy applies to those officers involved in the classification of inmates and those officers charged with the supervision of inmates, particularly those inmates on special confinement. The Allegany County Detention Center will prescribe procedures for the placement, removal, supervision, and rights of those inmates assigned to Administrative Segregation, Disciplinary Detention, Protective Custody, Suicide Precautions, and Medical Isolation. Further, the Allegany County Detention Center will provide a separate, safe, and secure housing unit designed to specifically manage and control the behavior of those inmates in need of special confinement. Socializing and contact between inmates in this housing unit is limited to ensure the safety and well-being of all occupants, and the security of the housing unit. Inmates who are on Protective Custody or Disciplinary Detention will not be out of their cells unless all inmates of other classification are secured. It is the policy of the Allegany County Detention Center that only those officers who are specifically authorized may place any inmate into or release any inmate from special confinement. Inmates may be placed into special confinement only under those circumstances and conditions that warrant such and that meet established guidelines, and will be reviewed as scheduled. Consistent with the inmate s status, he/she will have reasonable access to services, programs, and activities. Any time an inmate is placed on any Special Confinement, documentation of all decisions, conditions, reviews, and release from the confinement shall be maintained in the inmate s file. An incident report will also be filled out and accompany all other documentation recorded. A record will be established detailing all significant activities in relation to the inmate s special confinement status. Definitions A. Administrative Segregation (ADSEG) Administrative Segregation (ADSEG) is a form of separation from the general population administered when the continued presence of the inmate in general population would pose a serious threat to life, limb, property, or the security and order of the facility. Inmate status is reviewed every seven days by classification. B. Protective Custody (PC) Protective Custody is a form of segregation from the general population for inmates requesting or requiring protection from other inmates. Inmate status is reviewed every seven days by classification. C. Disciplinary Detention (DD) Disciplinary Detention is a form of separation from the general population in which the inmates committing infractions of conduct or regulation are confined for a period of time and removed from the general population. Placement in DD may occur after an impartial hearing has found that the inmate has committed a violation, either of a serious nature, or
which shows a pattern of non-conforming behavior. Inmate status is reviewed every seven days. D. Cell Restriction (CR) Cell Restriction (CR) is a form of special confinement, generally in the inmate s assigned housing unit, imposed by any authorized staff member, based upon the inmate s disruptive behavior or non-conformance to established rules and regulations, or, after afforded a Misconduct Hearing and found guilty of committing a less serious infraction. This restriction can be up to but no more than 23 hours. E. Medical Isolation/Housing Medical Isolation is a form of isolation from the general population on recommendation from the Medical Department and approved by classification due to a medical problem. Inmates may be isolated temporarily in a cell or in the Medical Department. Inmates may also be housed in the Medical Department for psychological/mental health reasons. Inmate status is reviewed every seven days. F. Suicide Precautions Inmates may be placed on Suicide Precautions by medical staff after being screened and deemed at risk of suicide, or after any active suicide attempt or threat. Inmates on Suicide Precautions will be placed in a designated cell in a location which affords the staff greater observation or supervision. Inmates may be removed from Suicide Precautions only by the authority of medical staff. Procedures 1. Administrative Segregation and Protective Custody (ADSEG and PC) A. An inmate may be ordered to ADSEG or PC by the Sheriff, Assistant Administrator, Lieutenant, or on a temporary basis by the Shift Supervisor under certain circumstances. B. Placement i. ADSEG-Inmates may be placed on ADSEG: 1. When the continued presence of the inmate in general population would pose a serious threat to life, limb, property, or the security and order of the facility. This includes but is not limited to high profile cases and notorious criminals. 2. If the inmate displays characteristics of extreme behavioral issues including but not limited to detachment from reality, delusions, paranoia, hallucinations, delirium, dementia, and excessive anger/hostility/violence. 3. When the inmate is awaiting a bond review and space and/or segregation issues require the inmate to be moved out of the holding cells. 4. If any of the Placement Procedures #1-3 occur, a member of Administration will be contacted for approval before an inmate is placed on Administrative Segregation. 5. When the inmate is pending classification or reclassification. 6. As a result of an adjustment hearing. ii. PC-Inmates may be placed on PC: 1. When the inmate requests admission for his/her own protection, 2. If staff determines that admission to or continuance in PC is necessary for the inmate s protection. 3. As a result of an adjustment hearing.
4. If the inmate displays characteristics of extreme behavioral issues including but not limited to detachment from reality, delusions, paranoia, hallucinations, delirium, dementia, and excessive anger/hostility/violence. C. Conditions of ADSEG and PC i. Inmates will receive the same general privileges given to inmates in general population as is consistent with existing resources available and the security needs of the unit. Restrictions on activities/privileges may be imposed in order to maintain the safety and security of the inmate(s), housing unit, and the facility. ii. Inmates will be permitted commissary privileges, reasonable amounts of personal property, and recreation. Inmates on ADSEG or PC will be permitted no less than one hour per day to participate in recreational activities, exercise, access legal items, and to shower. D. Review A member of classification will review the status of all inmates placed into ADSEG or PC every seven days. If the review recommends continuance in ADSEG or PC, the inmates may appeal the decision to the Assistant Administrator for relief. The inmates may then also appeal to the Sheriff. The Sheriff has the final authority and a written decision will be placed in the inmate s file. E. Release from ADSEG or PC i. Release from ADSEG or PC may be authorized by the Sheriff or Assistant Administrator. ii. Release is authorized when the condition which required placement into ADSEG or PC no longer exists, when information or evidence suggests that the inmate is no longer a danger to him/her self or others or the facility, or when the inmate is found guilty of accused behavior and is administratively transferred to DD. Upon release of this status, the inmate will be moved to general population when deemed appropriate by facility staff. 2. Disciplinary Detention (DD) A. Inmates may be placed into DD only after having been found guilty of a rule infraction, when recommended by the Hearing Officer, when approved by the Sheriff, and when classified to DD. B. Inmates may be placed into DD for the length specified by the Hearing Officer, depending upon the seriousness of the violation and/or the inmate s past behavior. C. Inmates must be evaluated by classification to ensure the safety and well being of the inmate. D. Conditions of DD i. Basic living levels of decency and humane treatment shall be maintained regardless of the purpose for which the inmate was placed into DD. ii. Privileges may be added to the living conditions to reinforce acceptable behavior. A shift Lieutenant may approve reinstating privileges based upon inmate requests and/or staff recommendations. All inmate possessions will be thoroughly searched prior to being placed into DD. All items not permitted in DD will be confiscated,
inventoried on the inmate s computer base file, receipted, and stored in the housing unit closet. iv. The inmate on DD will be permitted to retain institutional provided items only. In addition, a religious text, library books, writing tablet, envelopes, and a pencil will be permitted to allow the inmate to communicate with attorneys, courts, and family. v. DD outgoing mail will not be sealed by the inmate. The Mail Officer will search the outgoing mail for contraband and seal the mail prior to placing it with the facility outgoing mail. vi. When placed on DD, inmates are not permitted visits, telephone use, or any other privileges not specifically recommended by the Hearing Officer or approved by Administration. vii. Inmates on DD may order commissary commensurate with those items specified as allowable property on the DD commissary order form. v Meals will be served to inmates on DD on the same schedule as ix. general population but will be taken in their cells. Inmates on DD will be permitted no less than one hour per day to participate in recreational activities, exercise, access legal items, and to shower. E. Release from DD Inmates may be released from DD when the health of the inmate is in jeopardy as determined by qualified healthcare personnel, or when the inmate has served the entire designated DD sentence. The Sheriff or his designee has the authority to suspend all or a portion of the DD sentence upon the recommendation of the Hearing Officer. 3. Cell Restriction (CR) A. Inmates may be placed on cell restriction in their assigned housing unit by any authorized staff member. B. CR may be imposed when an inmate demonstrates inappropriate behavior of a less serious nature that does not warrant a Misconduct Report, or as a cooling off period for the inmate. C. Once a CR is given, the inmate will be required to sign for the CR accepting the rule violation(s) committed. If the inmate refuses to sign the CR form, he/she will then be formally charged with a Misconduct. D. All inmates who are pending a Misconduct Report will be placed on a 23 hour CR pending the outcome of the hearing. E. CR may be up to 23 hours and can only be lifted by the officer who imposed the CR, by a supervisor, or at the end of the 23 hour period. Inmates can be placed on consecutive 23 hour cell restrictions providing they are given one hour of recreation between each cell restriction. At that time, the inmate will be permitted to use the telephone. F. All placements into CR will be documented on a Cell Restriction Notice which will be filed with the Shift Supervisor; copies are to be forwarded to Assistant Administrator, the housing unit, and the inmate. G. Inmates on CR will be afforded the same basic rights as the inmates in the housing unit. Those inmates on CR for 23 hours will be permitted no less than one hour to participate in exercise, access legal items, and to shower. Meals will be taken in the cell. H. The Housing Unit Officer must observe inmates on CR at least once each hour.
4. Medical Isolation A. Inmates may be placed into Medical Isolation by qualified health care personnel. The Shift Supervisor may also place an inmate in Medical Isolation for up to 24 hours if there is a delay in medical screening by qualified healthcare personnel. B. A qualified healthcare professional may place or keep the inmate in medical isolation for any period of time to prevent the spread of communicable disease. Inmates may be placed into medical isolation in the housing unit only in those cases that the inmate does not need to be monitored by medical personnel. C. If placed into medical isolation, an inmate shall not lose any privileges; however, the inmate may be limited to certain activities upon recommendation by the facility s health care professionals. 5. Suicide Precautions A. Inmates who indicate that they are or may be suicidal shall immediately be referred to the Medical Department for further evaluation. A qualified health care professional will determine if the inmate needs to be placed on suicide precautions. B. An inmate who is placed on suicide precautions shall be strip searched and will be placed in the designated area wearing only items approved by the medical staff. C. A 30 minute log will be maintained by correctional staff of all of the inmate s activities. The use of restraining devices shall be approved by correctional staff based upon behavior, with consideration given to the recommendation of the medical staff. All use of restraints shall be documented.