Use of Force, Application of Restraints, and Firearms Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the Use of Force, Application of Restraints, and Firearms Program Statement.

Use of Force

Staff are authorized to use force only as a last resort after all other reasonable efforts to resolve a situation have failed.

Application of Restraints

Staff are authorized to apply physical restraints necessary to gain control of an inmate who appears to be dangerous.

Reasons for applying restraints

Assaults another individual; Destroys government property; Attempts suicide; Inflicts injury upon self; or Becomes violent or displays signs of imminent violence.

Employee Duty to Intervene

Employees must recognize and act upon the affirmative duty to intervene to prevent or stop any fellow Bureau employee from engaging in excessive force.

Program Objectives - Training

Employees will be well trained in confrontation avoidance, Use of Force Team Technique, use of chemical agents/OC, and the application of restraints to ensure the appropriate level of response.

Program Objectives - Video Documentation

Video documentation will begin as soon as feasible following an immediate use of force to ensure an accurate portrayal of inmate actions and the integrity of employee response.

Program Objectives - Calculated Use of Force

Calculated use of force will be initiated only after a review of the inmate’s medical file, unless such a delay would endanger the safety of employees, the inmate, or other inmates, or result in severe property damage, or effectuate an escape.

Training Requirements

training must cover managing aggressive inmates, communication techniques, cultural diversity, managing mentally ill inmates, de-escalation procedures, the application of restraints, reporting procedures, instances when deadly force may be used, the appropriate exercise of discretion and judgment in using less-than-lethal and deadly force, and techniques for the use of and reinforcement of the importance of de-escalation, and employees’ affirmative duty to intervene.

Immediate Use of Force

Staff may immediately use force and/or apply restraints when the behavior constitutes an immediate, serious threat to inmate, staff, others, property, or to institution security and good order.

Decontamination after Use of Force

In situations where OC or chemical agents are utilized, decontamination of the inmate(s) must be conducted without delay, upon the incident being contained, and regardless of the availability of Health Services employees.

Medical Assessment after Use of Force

After an immediate use of force, qualified Health Services personnel shall initially assess the inmate and document any injuries. An inmate may not refuse a medical assessment following a use of force.

Debriefing after Use of Force

A Lieutenant will ensure an incident debrief is conducted on video after medical assessments related to an immediate use of force have been conducted.

Calculated Use of Force

This occurs in situations where an inmate is in an area that can be isolated (e.g., a locked cell, a range) and where there is no immediate, direct threat to the inmate or others. When there is time for the calculated use of force or application of restraints, staff must first determine if the situation can be resolved without resorting to force.

Employee Health and Calculated Use of Force

Employees with Injury or Disease. Although specifics are not required, employees with documented injuries or diseases have an obligation to inform management they are unable to participate in calculated use of force situations.

Employee Exposure to Bodily Fluids

Employees will treat every calculated use of force as if blood and bodily fluids are present. Employees must report any exposure to bodily fluids or other contagious diseases that occurs during the course of their duties to Health Services as soon as practicable.

Use of Force Team Technique

If use of force is determined to be necessary, and other means of gaining control of an inmate are deemed inappropriate or ineffective, then the Use of Force Team Technique shall be used to control the inmate and to apply soft restraints, to include ambulatory leg restraints.

Gaining Inmate Cooperation

Staff ordinarily shall first attempt to gain the inmate’s voluntary cooperation before using force.

Prohibition of Force as Punishment

Force may not be used to punish an inmate.

Appropriate Amount of Force

Staff shall use only that amount of force necessary to gain control of the inmate.

Use of Medication as Restraint

Medication may not be used as a restraint solely for security purposes.

Confrontation Avoidance Procedures

Prior to any calculated use of force, the ranking custodial official (ordinarily the Captain or shift Lieutenant), a designated mental health professional, and others shall confer and gather pertinent information about the inmate and the immediate situation.

Use of Less-Than-Lethal Weapons

The Warden may authorize the use of less-than-lethal weapons, including those containing chemical agents, only when the situation is such that the inmate is armed and/or barricaded, or cannot be approached without danger to self or others, and it is determined that a delay in bringing the situation under control would constitute a serious hazard to the inmate or others, or would result in a major disturbance or serious property damage.

Ambulatory Restraints

Ambulatory restraints are defined as approved soft and hard restraint equipment which allow the inmate to eat, drink, and take care of basic human needs without employee intervention.

Extended Use of Ambulatory Restraints

When it is necessary to place an inmate in ambulatory restraints for longer than eight hours, the Regional Director or Regional Duty Officer must be notified telephonically by the Warden or designee (i.e., Acting Warden or Administrative Duty Officer).

Four-Point Restraints

Soft restraints (e.g., vinyl) must be used to restrain an inmate unless such restraints previously have proven ineffective with respect to that inmate, or such restraints are proven ineffective during the initial application procedure.

Notification for Extended Restraint Use

When it is necessary to restrain an inmate for longer than eight hours, the Warden (or designee) or institution administrative duty officer shall notify the Regional Director or Regional Duty Officer by telephone.

Medical Attention in Immediate Use of Force

In immediate use of force situations, staff shall seek the assistance of mental health or qualified health personnel upon gaining physical control of the inmate. When possible, staff shall seek such assistance at the onset of the violent behavior.

Report of Incident

A BP-E583, Report of Incident, will be prepared electronically documenting the use of force, chemical agents/OC, progressive restraints, and less-than-lethal delivery systems. This reporting requirement includes the application of progressive restraints on an inmate who complies with the placement of the restraints.

Behavior Management Plans (BMP)

Within 24 hours of placement in restraints, a review of the inmate’s status will be conducted, and a BMP prepared. The Warden, Associate Warden, Captain, Unit Manager, Health Services Administrator, and Chief Psychologist, or designees, will conduct this review.

After-Action Review of Use of Force

Following any incident involving a calculated or immediate use of force and the application of restraints, the Warden, Associate Warden responsible for Correctional Services, Captain, Health Services Administrator, and the Lieutenant supervising the use of force, when available, must meet and review the incident.

Approved Use of Firearms

When approved by the Warden, institution employees are permitted to carry firearms when transporting inmates, assigned to escape posts, or assigned to security posts which require firearms as standard issue equipment.

Use of Deadly Force

Employees may use deadly force only when necessary, that is, when the employee has a reasonable belief that the subject of such force poses an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to the officer or another person.

Escape Prevention

Employees may use deadly force to prevent an escape only when necessary, that is, when the employee has a reasonable belief that the subject of such force poses a danger of death or serious physical injury to others.

Deadly Force Use Justification

The use of deadly force is authorized when deemed necessary to prevent an imminent escape in the situations described in this Section. Employees may use deadly force to prevent an escape only when necessary, that is, when the employee has a reasonable belief that the subject of such force poses a danger of death or serious physical injury to others.

Exceptions to Use of Force Rules

Any exception to this rule is prohibited, except where the facts and circumstances known to the staff member would warrant a person using sound correctional judgment to reasonably believe other action is necessary (as a last resort) to prevent serious physical injury, or serious property damage which would immediately endanger the safety of staff, inmates, or others.

Targeting When Using Firearms

If the use of firearms is deemed necessary in accordance with this Program Statement, employees must shoot the subject with every intention of hitting “center mass” to ensure the subject is stopped.

Justification for using less-than-lethal Firearm

Is armed and/or barricaded; or Cannot be approached without danger to self or others; and It is determined that a delay in bringing the situation under control would constitute a serious hazard to the inmate or others, or would result in a major disturbance or serious property damage.

Basic principles of Crisis Intervention

Maintain calm. Use authority cautiously. Have back-up. Proper distance. Time is your friend. Consider barbs and hooks.

Progressive Restraint

The process of using the least restrictive restraint method to control the inmate as deemed necessary for the situation

Levels of Inmate Behavior

Level 1: Compliant (Blue) – The inmate is going through a daily routine in a manner consistent with the orderly running of the institution. Level 2: Passive Resistant (Green) – The inmate is not responsive to employees instructions. Level 3: Active Resistant (Yellow) – Inmate behavior is one of physical defiance. Level 4: Assaultive Bodily Harm (Orange) – Inmate is engaged in assaultive behavior; a threat of bodily harm is imminent. Level 5: Lethal Threat (Red) – A life-threatening situation exists, or an escape is in progress.

Reasonable Employee’s Response

Cooperative Controls. Containment Techniques. Compliance Techniques. Controlling/Defensive Tactics. Deadly Force.