S532- Use of Restraints Flashcards
S532- Use of Restraints
To illustrate the proper use of restraints for safety and security, and as precautionary measures during inmate movement within the facility, during transportation, or when housed at a hospital
Only those restraints approved and authorized by the Department may be used
Restraints shall only be used by employees trained in the proper use of the equipment
Restraints shall not be used as punishment.
Prior authorization by the Shift Commander is required for the continued application of restraints while confined to a cell 15 min checks, logged and ask inmate if ready to comply
Inmates in restraint shall be under the supervision of an officer who shall have either on his person, or have immediate access to, the key(s) to the restraint device
women who are pregnant, or during post-partum recuperation as determined by the attending physician, shall be transported to and from visits to medical providers and court proceedings using only handcuffs in the front with seat belts
The Shift Commander may authorize the use of the restraint chair after s/he has determined that all other reasonable methods of control have been considered and deemed inappropriate, and such use shall be recorded on videotape.
Medical staff shall examine inmates in restraints or the restraint chair at regular and frequent intervals
Authorized Restraint Equipment: Department-approved handcuffs, flex-cuffs, leg- irons, waist-chains, restraint chair, Posey restraints, and other devices
A resisting subject may use improperly-applied restraints as a weapon
When applying restraints, officers shall follow the correct sequence of steps:
immobilize, control, handcuff, search, monitor, and transport
keep the subject in an off-balance position
Officers may at any time increase the control exerted by applying additional restraints or using authorized options, but may never lessen the degree of security
Restraints shall not be removed or adjusted during transportation unless it is necessary for medical or security concerns.
All inmates transported for any reason shall be restrained according to policy unless a physical deformity or medical condition exists that make the application of restraints impractical or unsafe
In this instance, the officers must use good judgment to ensure safe and secure custody
No vehicle should be entered to adjust or remove restraints except in an emergency situation; in such a case, do so only while unarmed, and with sufficient backup to control the situation
For one-way trips of more than one-(1) hour duration, a single inmate transported in a car shall be handcuffed with hands in front, palms facing outward, and leg irons. Alternate or waste chains
A single inmate transported locally in a car shall only be handcuffed in front with leg irons (court) or with waist-chains and leg irons (hospital).
A single inmate transported in a van or truck for any length of time shall be handcuffed with hands in front, palms facing outward, and leg irons
Two (2) or more inmates transported together to the same destination shall be restrained by handcuffing each inmate’s hands in front, palms facing outward, while linking inmates together, arm-in-arm at the elbow.This procedure shall be used in all vehicles.
Inmates shall be restrained in-groups (according to destination and type of vehicle used) so that no more than five (5) inmates will be restrained together in this manner.
Small prisoner compartments and/or very large inmates may limit the size of the grouping in a particular vehicle.
Two (2) groups of inmates may be then connected, by restraining at the ankles or elbows, one (1) inmate from the end of each group using leg irons
All inmates transported outside the facility for medical care are required to wear waist-chains and leg-irons.
Standard restraint procedures shall be followed unless the application of the restraint would likely worsen the medical condition.
In this instance, the officer must use good judgment to ensure safe and secure custody.
If an inmate has a wrist injury which handcuffs would aggravate, the uninjured arm shall be restrained by the use of waist-chains, and leg irons are required.
If an inmate has an ankle or leg injury which leg irons would aggravate, only waist-chains will be applied.
During the treatment procedure, caution must be exercised if it becomes necessary (for medical purposes) to remove a restraining device from an inmate.
If possible, one type of restraint should remain on the inmate at all times (e.g., if handcuffs need to be removed, leg irons should be kept on).
Leg or waist restraints shall not be used on a pregnant or post-partum inmate.
An inmate who is pregnant, or during post-partum recuperation as determined by the attending physician, shall be transported to and from visits to medical providers and court proceedings only in a vehicle with seatbelts, and only using handcuffs in front.
If possible, any officer present in the room during the pregnant inmate’s physical examinations, labor or childbirth, shall be female
An inmate, who is in any stage of labor, delivery, or post-delivery, as determined by a licensed health care professional, shall not be placed in restraints at any time, including during transportation.
Inmate in post-deliver, recuperation shall not be restrained EXCEPT extraordinary circumstances (serious or imminent threat to self or others, escape risk)
If an inmate is restrained, the restraints shall be the least restrictive available and the most reasonable under the circumstances
In the event the officer determines that extraordinary circumstances exist and restraints are used, s/he shall
◦ fully document, in writing, the reasons that s/he determined such extraordinary circumstances existed,
◦ the kind of restraints used,
◦ And the reasons those restraints were considered the least restrictive available and the most reasonable under the circumstances
In the absence of prior approval in cases of extraordinary circumstances, the Superintendent must be verbally notified immediately upon the application of restraints.
If the attending physician or nurse treating the pregnant inmate requests that restraints be removed for medical reasons, the officer shall immediately remove all restraints and verbally notify the Superintendent
Nothing in this section shall prohibit the use of hospital restraints requested by a treating physician for the medical safety of a patient.
Handcuffs shall be closed fully against the skin, but should not pinch the skin or impede circulation
it may be necessary to add supplemental restraints
Leg irons should not be placed over the inmate’s pants or over boots
Posey restraints may be used to properly secure an inmate with a hand or arm cast
Leg irons shall be applied after the inmate’s hands and arms have been restrained by handcuffs or waist chains
Waist chains shall be applied from behind or beside the inmate
The inmate shall be held bodily; do not hold an inmate by the waist-chains
The Martin Chain may be used with handcuffs according to the rules for placement and use of waist chains
Nylon flex-cuffs may be substituted for handcuffs or leg irons in an emergency or when it becomes otherwise necessary in order to maintain secure custody of a prisoner
Flex-cuffs are for one-time use and must be cut to be removed
When flex-cuffs are used,
◦ the officer applying restraints shall report this to a transportation supervisor a
◦ And shall have the flex-cuffs replaced in storage.
When possible, the used flex-cuff(s) shall be turned in to a transportation Supervisor
The restraint chair may be used after authorization by the Shift Commander once s/he has determined that all other reasonable methods of control have been considered and attempted or deemed inappropriate.
Before restraining an inmate in the restraint chair, a physician or nurse should assess whether any medical contraindications to using the restraint device exist unless the inmate’s behavior presents an imminent danger to self or others. If so then the medical assessment for contraindications immediately after placement in chair.
Supplemental Restraints
◦ Handcuff through trap, in front, palms out, double locked
◦ Leg irons
◦ Modified Martin Chain from beside the inmate (2 ½)
◦ While maintaining the inmate attach the Modified Martin Chain to the chain of the handcuffs, then secure the connector length by tightening the fastener
◦ Posey restraint may be used if hand/arm cast
the action of placing the inmate in the restraint chair shall be recorded on videotape to establish the identities of the staff, inmate(s), and/or others involved, and to describe the nature of the incident
the restrained inmate shall be videotaped as soon as possible thereafter to document his/her physical condition and behavior.
Staff involved in the restraint procedure shall also be identified in the recording
The unit officer shall record the inmate’s name, and the date and time s/he was placed in the restraint chair, in the unit log.
Upon placement of an inmate in the restraint chair, a physician or nurse shall conduct an examination of the restrained inmate to assess the inmate’s medical status and, as necessary, treat any injury sustained during the restraint process. Dr./Nurse shall assess vitals and respiration.
After the initial examination, medical staff shall assess the inmate’s vital signs and respiration at the following intervals
◦ fifteen (15) minutes after the initial examination; and
◦ every one (1) hour thereafter until the restraints are removed
The inmate’s behavior and physical condition must be noted in the unit log every fifteen (15) minutes.
Inmates confined in the restraint chair shall be monitored by custody personnel.
Any significant change in the inmate’s physical condition must be immediately communicated to medical staff.
During each wellness check, the unit officer shall ask the inmate whether they will comply with instructions, and will immediately inform the area supervisor once the inmate agrees to comply so that steps can be taken to remove the inmate from the restraint chair.
The inmate’s responses shall be recorded in Form S-505-4.
When continuation in the restraint chair is required beyond two (2) hours an offer of controlled limb exercise shall be made by a nurse.
Each limb must be removed independently from restraint and the inmate directed to move the limb for a period of five (5) to seven (7) minutes
The Shift Commander shall immediately order the inmate’s release from the restraint chair when s/he is no longer exhibiting violent, resistive behavior and the restraint can be removed safely.
The date and time of the inmate’s release from restraint must be recorded in the unit log and the use-of-force report (s).
The inmate’s limbs, at the locations where restraints were applied, shall be videotaped after removal from the restraint chair.
Any injuries observed at the time of removal from the restraint chair shall also be photographed
