INMATE / OFFICER

SAFETY

Objectives

1. The student will describe the basics on conducting

inmate searches

2. The student will describe the basics on conducting

cell searches

3. The student will list what is considered contraband

according to TCLEOSE

4. The student will demonstrate the basics of

escorting an inmate

Inmates have nothing but time

1. Make weapons

2. Hurt or manipulate officers

3. They will do anything to get out

Basic Jailer Academy

JOHN DOE

GETTING BACK

TO THE BASICS

Basic Correctional Officer Course

Inmate Searches

TCJS 275.6(2) - Searches for Contraband

Any inmate who leaves the security perimeter of

the facility shall be thoroughly searched for

contraband before reentering the security

perimeter

TCLEOSE

How to search an inmate 1. Have the inmate place his hands on the wall.

2. Have the inmate place his left hand over his right hand.

3. Have the inmate stand back from the wall with his feet as far as

he can go.

4. Place your foot between his legs (left foot for right side search

and right foot for left side search).

5. Run your fingers thru the waist band of the inmates boxers and

pants.

6. Stretch out the pants a bit and shake them. Make sure that the

legs are not rolled up. If so, have the inmate unroll them before

starting the search.

7. Check the pockets of the shirt. If the shirt has pockets, it is best

the inmate take the shirt off, turn it upside down, and shake the

shirt. Don’t be surprised if something falls out of the pocket.

When to search an inmate

1. Anytime they are taken from their cell

2. Anytime they are returned to their cell

3. Anytime you feel that it is necessary

. 9.2.2 The student will be able to identify the necessity of

conducting regular and irregular cell searches.

A. Conducting cell searches TCJS 275.6

1. Searches for contraband are done for the protection of

corrections personnel and inmates:

a. Any items brought into the security perimeter of the facility

by anyone should be searched for contraband.

b. Any inmate who leaves the security perimeter of the facility

shall be thoroughly searched for contraband before reentering the

security perimeter.

c. There shall be regular and irregular searches of the entire

facility area for contraband, which shall be noted in a permanent

facility record.

d. Searches for contraband should be timed so that inmates

cannot anticipate them.

B. Cell searches are necessary to provide for the safety of

officers, civilians, and inmates within the facility

TCLEOSE

Basic Correctional Officer Course

Conducting cell searches

9.2.1 The student will be able to identify items that are considered contraband.

A. Contraband is considered to be any item, material, or substance that is

prohibited by law or agency directives. Many jails define contraband as

anything that is not expressly permitted. This may include any item that

was issued or purchased in commissary that has been altered or is no

longer used for its original purpose.

Examples:

1. Items prohibited by law: drugs and weapons

2. Items prohibited by agency directive: cash money, flammable materials,

excessive food in cell, excessive clothing or paper, hoarded medication

distributed by the facility clinic

3. Items that have been altered: a comb without teeth, toothbrush with no

bristles and a pointed tip, clothing with gang affiliation writing on it,

empty food containers or personal hygiene containers, ink pen without the

ink tube

Basic Correctional Officer Course

Contraband

TCLEOSE

What’s wrong here?

After the prison-yard murder

of Larry Davis in upstate New

York, most City papers noted

his infamy and folk- or anti-

hero status, but for the most

part were content to portray

him as a vicious thug,

murderer, and all-around

lowlife. Davis was shanked

multiple times by another

inmate at the Shawangunk

Correctional Facility in Ulster

county New York.

Items found in cell searches

-Homemade rope

-4 inch shank

-Homemade tattoo needles

-Boston Market plastic container

-7UP bottle

-County issued pens

-Sewing machine needle

-Maintenance tools

-Homemade stingers

(and the list goes on)

How to conduct a cell search 1. Look thru all books. Inmates hide items between the

pages.

2. Look under bunk beds. Things can be taped under them.

3. Look in the toilet paper tubes. If there is paper stuffed in

there, take it out and unwrap it. Pills have been found this

way.

4. Look thru the decks of cards. Take them out of the box and

flip thru them. You might find a razorblade.

5. Look for broken light fixtures.

6. Check for loose panels. They make great

hiding places for contraband.

Does this inmate look dangerous?

Escorting Inmates

When escorting an inmate DO NOT:

1. Allow the inmate to walk behind you

2. Allow the inmate to walk beside you

3. Allow the inmate to turn around to face you

4. Allow the inmate to walk with his hands in his pants

Name

RIVERS, CHARLIE

Address

DALLAS, TX

Citizenship

NONE

Race

Black

Sex

Male

DOB

1986-07-23

Jail Location

North Tower

Tank Location

2WL13

Bookin Number

08081331

Bookin Date

2008-10-15 09:09 PM

Proper way of escorting an

inmate

1. Walk behind the inmate.

2. Allow enough room between you and the inmate

(more than an arms length)

3. Have the inmate walk with his hands behind his back

4. Don’t allow the inmate to walk

faster then you, stay the same

pace (you can tell the inmate

to slow down)

Reasons for properly escorting an

inmate

1. Correctional officers every year get maimed or

killed while escorting an inmate.

2. The inmate could continue to injure or kill other

officers.

3. The inmate could escape.

4. If the inmate escapes, you may find him at your

house.

Summary

1. Inmates have nothing but time on their hands

to think about injuring you and/or escaping.

2. Searching an inmate before and after he

leaves his housing area is important. You

want to make sure they don’t have anything

that can injure you or someone else.

3. Cell searches are necessary for protection of

life.

4. Contraband, most the time, is always found.

5. Proper ways of escorting an inmate can save

you a trip to the hospital or morgue.

Exam 1. You can walk as close to an inmate as possible. True False

2. Searches for contraband are done for the protection of corrections

personnel and inmates. True False

3. When searching an inmate you:

a. have them touch the floor with their hands

b. have them spread their hands out on the wall

c. have them put their left hand over their right hand

d. none of the above

4. At what time do you search an inmate?

a. when they leave the cell

b. when they come back to the cell

c. when they visit their lawyer in a visitation booth

d. none of the above

e. all of the above

5. The most common item found in cell searches are ___________.

6. It is important to search an inmate for _______ because the inmate can __________.