Martin County Sheriff’s Office Department of Corrections

1. Martin County Sheriff’s Office Department of Corrections Inmate Visual and Security Checks

2. Inmate Visual and Security Checks are conducted for the following inmates: • Inmates on Special Status Special Risk Inmate - 15 minute physical visual observation – documented • Inmates on Disciplinary Status Segregation Inmate - 30 minute physical visual observation – documented • Inmates on Administrative Segregation Segregation Inmate - 30 minute physical visual observation – documented • Inmates in Protective Custody Segregation Inmate - 30 minute physical visual observation – documented • Inmates on Suicide Precaution Special Risk Inmate - 15 minute physical visual observation – documented

3. Inmate Visual and Security Checks are conducted for the following inmates continued: • Inmates on Suicide Watch Special Risk Inmate - Continuous Direct Visual Observation - documented every 15 minutes • Inmates on Psychiatric Observation Special Risk Inmate - 30 minute physical visual observation - documented • Juvenile Inmates Juvenile - 15 minute physical visual observation – documented • General Population Inmates Between 2300-0600 require hourly visual observation - documented

4. Inmate Visual and Security Checks • We recently had an incident in which inmates housed in their cell, beat the glass from their cell window leading out to the pipe chase with a shower handle and attempted to pry open the window panes to attempt an escape from the facility. When this was unsuccessful they covered the window with a newspaper to hide the damage. Approximately 12 Hours elapsed before any staff members noticed the damage to the cells window. The inmates that attempted this were on a 15 minute check sheet which required a physical visual check of the inmates and their cell. Fortunately, the inmates were unable to get out of their cell and make an escape attempt. In order to prevent another situation like this from reoccurring, a review of Inmate Visual and Security Checks is being conducted.

5. Inmate Visual and Security Checks Cont. • The purpose of inmate visual checks is to ensure the safety and welfare of the inmates and to verify each individual housing area (cells/day rooms) are in order to ensure safety, security, and good order in the facility. • Physical Visual Observation requires a deputy to physically go to the inmates cell to visually observe the inmates status or condition. Additionally checks of the inmates housing area shall be checked to ensure the safety, security, and good order of the facility.

6. General Inmate Observation: (2300 to 0600) • This requires a visual check of each and every inmate in general population to ensure their well being. Additionally, during this check each inmate will be counted in accordance with “Department of Corrections Policy 8.09.7 - Inmate Accounting, Visual Observations”. The observation will include checks of the inmate and their housing area. It is not possible to properly observe each inmate housed in a housing unit or the inside of their housing area from a single static point. This requires a deputy to make physical inspection of each housing area, or cell on a irregular schedule not to exceed 1 hour during this time frame. Checks of the inmates in general population will be documented in the Pod Daily Log Book. The exact time the check was completed will be recorded in the Log Book. If for any reason the required checks can not be made the Shift Supervisor must be notified.

7. Segregation Inmates • (This includes inmates confined for administrative, protective custody or disciplinary reasons housed in designated segregation cells.) • Inmates in designated segregation cells require physical visual observation at intervals not to exceed 30 minutes. The observation checks will be documented on the Inmate Observation Form. The exact time the sight observation was completed will be recorded.

8. Special Risk Inmates • These are inmates that pose a threat to staff, other inmates or themselves and shall be separated and closely supervised. These inmates shall be known as special inmates and may include the mentally ill, special management inmates, alcoholic, drug addict, sex deviate, suicide risk, suicide precaution, psychiatric observation or persons with contagious or communicable diseases. • Inmates designated as a “Suicide Risk” shall be observed by continuous direct observation which shall be supported by documentation with notations at increments not to exceed 15 minutes.

9. Special Risk Inmates Cont. • Inmates designated as “Suicide Precaution” will be placed on regular physical visual observation at intervals not to exceed 15 minutes. • Inmates designated as “Psychiatric Observation” will be placed on regular physical visual observations at intervals not to exceed 30 minutes. • Observation for the special inmates shall include regular physical visual observations by correctional staff at intervals not to exceed 15 minutes. All observation checks shall be documented on the Inmate Observation Form. The exact time the check was completed will be recorded.

10. Juvenile Inmates • Juvenile inmates shall have physical observation checks at intervals not to exceed 15 minutes. The physical visual checks shall be recorded on the Inmate Observation Form at the time the check was completed. Should a Juvenile Inmate leave his/her housing unit for temporary housing the check sheet shall be continued at his/her new location.

11. It is possible that some inmates may fall into more than one category. For example, if an inmate was in administrative segregation awaiting a Disciplinary Hearing, and was to be placed on suicide watch, his observation status would change from a 30 minute physical visual observation to that of direct continuous visual observation documented at least every 15 minutes. Inmates that may fall into one or more categories should always be maintained on the most restrictive observation schedule.

12. Thank you for veiwing Inmate Visual Security Checks Presentation. Please receive a written exam from your shift supervisor. Once completed return it to the Corrections Training Unit for grading. • If you have any questions please call the Corrections Training Unit at 220-7244. • References: MCSO Corrections Policy - 10.18 MCSO Corrections Policy - 8.09 MCSO Corrections Policy - 6.04 F.M.J.S. - 5.04 F.M.J.S. - 1.13 F.M.J.S. - 11.06 F.M.J.S. - 18.01 (b)