CC 04 Contraband and Staff Belongings

Washington County Sheriff's Office

CORRECTIONS DIVISION

Policy Manual

Volume:

Security

Chapter:

CC 04

Contraband and Staff Belongings

Replaces and/or Supersedes:

CC 04 03/28/2011

Published:

03/29/2012

Review Date:

03/29/2013

Sheriff Cory C. Pulsipher

Chief Deputy Jake Schultz

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CC 04_101  Definitions

CC 04_102  References

CC 04_103  General

CC 04_104  Use of Personal Belongings

CC 04_105  Approved Items

CC 04_106  Contraband

CC 04_107  Disposal of Contraband

CC 04_108  Cell Phones

CC 04_109  Canine Units

CC 04_101  DEFINITIONS

1. WCSO:  Washington County Sheriff's Office
2. PCF:  Purgatory Correctional Facility
3. Contraband:  Items not specifically approved to be brought into or used or possessed within the secure areas of PCF or any approved item used within the secure areas of PCF in a manner other than the item's intended purpose.

CC 04_102  REFERENCES

1. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Standards:
   1. 2000-22.
2. Utah Sheriff's Association Jail Standards:
   1. F01.01.01:   Written Security and Control Policies and Procedures Required
   2. F01.01.02:  Content: Security and Control
   3. F03.01.01:  Written Search Policies and Procedures Required
   4. F03.02.01:  Contraband Control

CC 04_103  GENERAL

1. Policy:
   1. Personal belongings of staff should generally be restricted from being brought into the secure areas of PCF. Approved personal belongings of staff may be allowed into the secure areas of PCF, with specific restrictions.
   2. Contraband should be identified, detected, controlled, and disposed of properly.
   3. Non-approved items should not be allowed into the secure areas of PCF.
2. Rationale:
   1. The availability of personal belongings of staff, or other non-approved items, in a corrections facility creates the potential for inmate misappropriation.
   2. Due to the restrictive nature and demands of post assignments within PCF, allowing certain personal items into PCF may benefit productivity, efficiency, and time management.

CC 04_104  USE OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS

1. Policy:
   1. Personal belongings of staff should only be used:
      1. By the person whom the items belong to; or
      2. By persons authorized by the person whom the items belong to; and
      3. For the intended purposes of the items.
   2. Inmates shall not be allowed access to or use of personal belongings of staff.
2. Rationale:
   1. Personal belongings of staff must be closely regulated and controlled in order to avoid misappropriation and misuse in order to avoid safety risks, security threats, damage, and injury.

CC 04_105  APPROVED ITEMS

1. The cumulative quantity of approved items brought into the secure areas of PCF by a single employee should not exceed the size of a standard school back pack (roughly: 18” x 12” x 6”).
2. All personal belongings brought into the secure areas of PCF shall be subject to search by any on-duty superior officer.
3. Approved items include:
   1. Food and drinks;
   2. Paperwork, folders, binders, and supplies directly related to work-related productivity; and
   3. Other items specifically approved by the Corrections Chief Deputy (or above-ranking WCSO official).

CC 04_106  CONTRABAND

1. Contraband items include, but are not limited to:
   1. Personal music players (e.g., radios, CD-players, I-Pod, etc.);
   2. Personal laptops;
   3. Personal computer disks;
   4. Personal computer drives (e.g., thumb, flash, etc.).
   5. Glass containers;
   6. Flammable items (e.g., lighters, candles, etc.);
   7. Personal cameras;
   8. Wallets;
   9. Personal keys;
   10. Extra personal clothing.
2. Inmate personal property considered contraband should be mailed to a third party or stored until the inmate’s release, unless that property is illegal or a threat to safety or security.
3. Inmates should be notified of contraband control guidelines, rules, and enforcement procedures via the Inmate Orientation Packet (reference policy: CG 04 Orientation and Rules).
4. Discovered inmate contraband should be confiscated and:
   1. If in connection with a violation of a criminal statute, preserved, inventoried, controlled, and stored so as to maintain and document the chain of custody;
   2. If not needed for a criminal hearing, disposed of as described below in section: Disposal of Contraband.
5. The Corrections Chief Deputy should ordinarily consult a religious authority before the confiscation of a religious item.
6. When an inmate's claimed ownership of a contraband item is in question, staff should:
   1. Inventory and store item pending verification of ownership;
   2. Provide the inmate a copy of the inventory as soon as practicable and place a second copy in the inmate’s booking file. The inmate should have seven days following receipt of the inventory to prove ownership of the listed item;
   3. Deny claims:
      1. Arising from the unauthorized use of government property.
      2. For any item acquired without proper authorization.
7. If an inmate cannot establish ownership of an item, staff should attempt to determine ownership. If ownership cannot be reasonably established, the item may be disposed of as described below in section: Disposal of Contraband.
8. The actions taken regarding discovered inmate contraband should be documented in the jail computer system (JMJLOG). Documentation should include specific details about quantities and descriptions of items.
9. Volunteer staff and other persons entering the secure areas of PCF should be notified that they and their belongings are subject to search prior to and upon entry. Notice should be given via fixed signage at each entry door to the secure areas from the public access areas.

CC 04_107  DISPOSAL OF CONTRABAND

1. All actions taken by PCF staff regarding the disposal of confiscated property should be documented in the jail computer system.
2. Contraband that is not claimed by any inmate may be discarded as trash.
3. Contraband that is government property should be retained as evidence for possible disciplinary action or criminal prosecution, after which and as appropriate, it may be:
   1. Returned to the issuing authority;
   2. Returned to normal stock for reissue; or
   3. Discarded as trash.
4. Contraband that is claimed as an inmate's personal property should be seized and forwarded to the Property Unit. The confiscating officer should inform the inmate that the contraband property must be picked up or mailed out, at the inmate's expense, within thirty days. This should be documented in the jail computer system. The confiscating officer should explain to the inmate that the inmate:
   1. Is required to make any pick-up arrangements for the property.
   2. Is required to submit a Property Release form and a Money Transfer form (for postage) in order to mail out any property.
5. If the inmate chooses not to provide an appropriate mailing address within thirty days to the Property Unit, or is unable to pay the postage, the Property Unit officer may dispose of the property as trash, after the inmate has been provided notice of the intent to destroy the property and how the inmate may prevent that outcome.

CC 04_108  CELL PHONES

1. Cellular telephones should not be allowed in the secure areas of PCF, except as exempted.
2. The following individuals may bring cellular telephones into the secure areas of PCF:
   1. WCSO staff holding the rank of sergeant or above;
   2. WCSO investigators;
   3. WCSO Transportation Branch staff;
   4. WCSO Information Technology staff;
   5. Active members of the Washington County Drug Task Force (may only use in Pre-Booking or Classroom Six);
   6. Utah State IPP Coordinators (may only use in their own office);
   7. Washington County maintenance staff;
   8. Others as approved by the Corrections Chief Deputy (or above-ranking WCSO official).

CC 04_109  CANINE UNITS

1. Canine units may be used for contraband detection. However, they should not be used for force, control, or intimidation of ICE detainees.
2. Canines should not be used in the presence of ICE detainees.