Chapter 6 - Intake and Release

What is Intake?

Admission into a county facility.

What is reception?

Admission into a state facility.

What does each facility establish its own guidelines and procedures in accordance with?

Each facility establishes its own guidelines and procedures in accordance with the Florida Model Jail Standards (FMJS) and the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).

What does FMJS prohibit?

FMJS prohibits admitting unconscious, seriously ill, or injured people into a county facility without medical clearance.

What is the intake officer responsible for observing?

The intake officer will observe the person for any visible injuries and drug or alcohol impairment.

What will medical staff do if there are injuries or impairments present?

If an injury or impairment is present, medical staff will assess whether the person can remain at the facility or if they must be transported to a hospital emergency room.

Upon return from a hospital, what is required before the intake process can be completed?

Upon return, proper written medical clearance from a licensed physician is required before the intake process can be completed.

What is a multi step process that may take several days to complete?

Reception.

What is reception based on?

Statewide rules along with the policies of each reception center.

What is an inmate assigned during reception?

During reception, inmates are assigned a unique Florida Department of Corrections number.

What are inmates given during reception in order to establish immediate medical or psychological needs?

During reception, inmates are given a health screening to establish medical and psychological needs.

Why are inmates fingerprinted during the reception process?

During reception, inmates are fingerprinted to get their current criminal history.

What does the reception process base inmate evaluations and facility assignments on?

The reception process bases inmate evaluation and facility assignment on factors such as the nature and severity of the offense, the characteristics of the sentence, the inmate’s mental and health status, their age, and criminal history.

During the intake and reception process, how is a person’s identity verified?

A person’s identity is verified using various forms of identification.

Which forms of identification are used to verify a person’s identity during the intake and reception process?

Driver licenses, military ID’s, fingerprinting, rapid identification system, or any other valid photo ID’s.

What must be verified when an inmate is moved—such as between correctional facilities, to and from court, or from one area within the facility to another—?

Identity must be verified when an inmate is moved.

Which documents must be presented that support the arrest or commitment of an individual to a county or state facility?

Before a person can be admitted to a county or state facility, certain legal documents must be presented that support their arrest or commitment.

What are arrest papers?

The paperwork filed by the arresting officer that results in a person being arrested and taken to a correctional facility for admission.

Which type of papers may consist of arrest affidavits, warrants, hit confirmations, civil commits, and other court orders?

Arrest papers.

Identify 3 common features of arrest papers:

Date and time of arrest, bond information, and next court date.

What are commitment papers?

Documents or orders generated by the court that commit an offender to a correctional facility or to a mental hospital after the offender has been found guilty of a crime.

Identify 2 common features of commitment papers:

Medical transfer summary from the sending facility, and judgement and sentence papers that are signed by a judge.

What is NTA?

Notice to appear.

What is a notice to appear?

A summons or write issued in place of a physical arrest and which requires a person to appear in court.

What is ROR?

Release on recognizance.

What is release on recognizance?

The pretrial release of an arrested person who promises in writing to appear for trial at a later date. No monetary bond is required before release.

What is TRD?

Tentative release date.

What is tentative release date?

A date based on gain time earned or disciplined received.

What is ARD?

Anticipated release date.

What is anticipated release date?

Follows a calculation of anticipated gain time receipt and is applied a month prior to release.

What is PPRD?

Presumptive parole release date.

What is a presumptive parole release date?

Only for Florida Commission on Offender Review (FCOR) approved parole.

What is PSI?

Pre-sentence investigation.

What is a critical part of the intake and reception process?

Confirming completeness of arrest or commitment papers is a critical part of the intake and reception process.

Which 3 things should be checked when confirming the completeness of arrest or commitment papers?

All paperwork needed to complete the arrest or commitment is present, arrest paperwork is signed by the arresting officer and, if required, the arrestee, and that the commitment papers have been signed by a sentencing judge.

When is an inmate’s file created?

An inmate’s file is created once the arrest and intake or reception documents are completed and are signed by the officer and inmate.

Which two formats can inmate documents be maintained in?

The documents can be maintained electronically or by hard copy. Or both.

Identify 4 documents that inmates have permitted access to while in custody:

Court documents, legal paperwork pertaining to the inmate’s case, arrest papers, and property receipts.

What must officers do when searching inmates and their property?

When searching inmates and their property, officers must confirm the inmate’s identity by using forms of identification pursuant to agency policy.

How should strip searches be conducted at county and state facilities?

At county and state facilities, strip searches are to be conducted only in accordance with the Florida Statutes.

Which facilities often have additional policies in place for strip searches?

State facilities

What is true about inmates who are entering or exiting state facilities?

Inmates who are entering or exiting a facility may be strip searched at any time to discourage the introduction and movement of contraband.

What method can be used to prevent the introduction of contraband?

A method of pat searching inmates.

What should officers do while wearing disposable gloves during a search?

While wearing disposable gloves, search any outwear, such as jackets or layered clothing, and then remove and place the piece(s) of clothing out of the inmate’s reach before continuing the search.

How should officers handle clothing while searching an inmate?

Officers should check clothing carefully while systematically looking for tears or hidden compartments in clothing and footwear in which small items or drugs could be hidden.

How should officers inspect footwear during a search?

Officers should remove and inspect footwear insoles and the part of the shoe under the insole; then turn the footwear upside down and shake or knock it against a hard object to dislodge any contraband that may be hidden inside.

What should officers do with items from inmate wallets, pocketbooks, backpacks, or any other articles belonging to the inmates?

Remove and inspect all items from wallets, pocketbooks, backpacks, or any other articles belonging to the inmate.

What should officers do with jewelry or body piercings?

Instruct the inmate to take off any jewelry and body piercings.

What should officers do with medical devices such as wheelchairs, crutches, braces, and prosthetics?

Inspect any medical device for contraband.

Why must officers check prescription medication containers?

Officers must check prescription medication containers to ensure that the name on the container matches the inmate’s name.

How should officers treat loose medication and medication not in a labeled prescription container?

Officers should treat loose medication and medication not in a labeled prescription container as contraband.

What should officers check regarding driver’s licenses, any additional ID cards, credit cards, and bank cards?

Officers should check that the driver’s license and any additional ID cards, credit cards, and bank cards all match the inmates name.

What should officers do if the inmate’s drivers license, additional ID cards, credit cards, and bank cards don’t match the inmate’s name?

Bring the non-matching items to the attention of a supervisor.

Identify 3 methods for handling inmate property:

Destruction of items that are considered contraband, storage until the inmate is released, and mailing to the inmate’s designated recipient.

What should officers do with the inmate’s items during intake or reception?

During intake or reception, officers should inventory each item and note the exact number of every item.

What should officers make sure of when dealing with the property of multiple inmates?

When there are multiple inmates involved, an officer should ensure that the property they are inventorying belongs to the correct inmate.

Why should officers check all non-clothing items while inventorying and documenting property?

Officers should check all non-clothing items to make sure that they are not tampered with and are in their original form.

What allows additional charges to be made against an inmate who introduces contraband into a facility?

The Florida Statutes allow additional charges to be made against an inmate who introduces contraband into a facility.

Identify 5 types of property that inmates can keep in their possession:

Religious materials, medically necessary items as cleared by medical staff, legal paperwork related to the inmates case, hygiene items issued by the facility, and photographs, as determined by a facility’s policies and procedures.

What are officers required to do regarding legal paperwork?

Officers are required to search an inmates legal paperwork to remove paper clips, staples, and any other contraband before returning the legal paperwork to the inmate.

What must officers do when inventorying and describing property that may be stored until an inmate’s release?

Officers must be as specific as possible when inventorying and describing inmate property.

Identify 3 types of information that officers must record when inventorying and describing property:

List all clothing by type and color, make sure that all forms of identification are in the inmates name, and list the number of keys an inmate has in their possession.

What should officers do after documenting an inmate’s property?

After documenting an inmate’s property, officers should review the form with the inmate to make sure that all items are accounted for.

What should the inmate and officer both do with the property inventory form?

The inmate and officer should sign and date the property inventory form.

What should an officer do if an inmate refuses to sign the property inventory form?

If an inmate refuses to sign the property inventory form, the officer should note the refusal, then have a second officer verify the inventory and sign the form.

Where should an inmate’s personal property be delivered to once it has been inventoried and documented?

Once an inmate’s personal property has been inventoried and documented, it should be delivered to the designated property room.

What may the property officer or designee be accountable for?

The property officer or designee may be accountable for storing all property, making sure that the property room is secured at all times, inventorying property, and documenting the delivery or release of all property depending on the facility’s policies and procedures.

Which hygiene items are issued to inmates when they enter a facility?

Bath soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, shampoo, a comb, and toilet paper.

What is the Florida Crime Information Center? (FCIC)

The Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) is Florida’s law enforcement and criminal justice information system that contains a computerized filing system of documented criminal justice information that is made available to law enforcement and criminal justice agencies.

What is the central repository for all criminal history records in the state of Florida, including wanted persons information, missing persons information, and information on offenders of special concern?

The Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC).

What do the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) criminal histories contain for people who have been arrested?

The FCIC criminal histories may contain personal identifying information (PII), Offender Based Tracking System (OBTS) numbers, date of arrest, county in which the arrests occurred, the arresting agency, the charge information, and the court disposition.

Where is the information in FCIC forwarded to?

The information in the Florida Crime Information center (FCIC) is forwarded to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

What is the electronic clearinghouse of crime data maintained by the FBI, where it becomes available for nationwide access by the law enforcement and criminal justice community?

The National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

What does the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) provide to all criminal justice agencies?

The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) provides all criminal justice agencies access to criminal history records of all people arrested in the United States and its territories, including wanted persons’ information.

What does the NCIC assign to the arrestee?

The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) assigns the arrestee an FBI number which, when entered into the system, provides information on that specific person.

Which type of information does an arrestees FBI number provide?

Personal identifying information (PII), arrest history, location of arrest, the arresting agency, the date of arrest, and the disposition of the arrest.

What may not be available for all arrests?

A disposition.

What are the 3 legal requirements regarding the use of FCIC and NCIC information?

Certification, restriction, and confidentiality.

What does certification entail in regards to the use of FCIC and NCIC information?

Any person using FCIC and NCIC must be certified to use the database.

What does restriction entail in regards to the use of FCIC and NCIC information?

All information obtained from FCIC and NCIC is for criminal justice purposes only and should never be used for personal reasons.

What does confidentiality entail in regards to the use of FCIC and NCIC information?

All information obtained from FCIC and NCIC is confidential and may only be used for criminal justice purposes.

Why is it important to search both FCIC and NCIC when attempting to identify a person during intake and reception?

That person may have a criminal record in Florida or another state.

What should officers do when checking for FCIC and NCIC criminal history information?

When checking for FCIC and NCIC criminal history information, search with as much personal identifying information as possible.

What is the standard used in the criminal justice system for biometric identification?

Fingerprint biometrics.

What is the friction ridge?

A raised portion of the skin on the finger and palm of a hand that consists of connected ridge units.

Why are finger and palm prints taken upon intake and reception?

Finger and palm prints are taken upon intake and reception to establish or verify a person’s identity.

Where and how are prints submitted?

Prints are submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement electronically via a Biometric Identification Solutions LiveScan machine.

How are prints used to identify a person?

Prints are searched against state and national fingerprint databases to identify a person.

How do agencies without biometric systems collect fingerprints?

Agencies without biometric systems collect fingerprints using ink and standard fingerprint cards.

How are prints captured on a LiveScan machine?

To capture prints on a LiveScan machine, the fingers are rolled on a clean glass plate where each finger is scanned.

Identify 3 ways to obtain quality prints that are sufficient to properly identify a person:

Roll each finger and thumb from nail to nail, then lift up and away to avoid smudging the print, moisten an excessively dry hand with water, or use an oil-free lotion, and complete all personal identifying information fully and accurately.

What should be avoided so that the quality of the prints aren’t diminished?

Avoid applying to much or too little pressure, which will diminish the quality of prints.

How does FDLE’s identification unit receive electronically submitted fingerprints?

The FDLE’s identification unit receives electronically submitted fingerprints through the LiveScan machine.

What is BIS?

Biometric Identification Solutions.

What does BIS match prints to?

BIS will match prints to an existing state identification number (SID).

What happens if no match is found?

The system will automatically generate a new SID, indicating that the person is a first time arrestee.

What are 2 ways that people attempt to disassociate themselves from their records?

By completing official name changes or by providing aliases to avoid a new arrest.

What happens if the BIS database cannot read the fingerprint?

It will not be able to make a positive identification.

What is modern LiveScan technology designed to do?

Modern LiveScan technology is designed to assist in fingerprint identification by performing checks to ensure accuracy and completeness of image quality and accompanying information.

Who is ultimately responsible for the value of the fingerprints taken on the LiveScan machine?

The booking officer.