When an inmate becomes disruptive, there are times when your requests and commands go unheeded. Regardless of what you say, it can feel like nothing is working to de-escalate the situation—whether due to the inmate being under the influence of drugs or struggling with severe mental health challenges.
In these situations, an emergency restraint device becomes your last line of defense to manage a scenario that can be dangerous to staff, other inmates, and the inmate involved. You may be wondering: How can Command Cloud help in these situations?
In this blog, we’ll explore how Command Cloud can help ensure that your policies, documentation, and reporting are streamlined to maximize defensibility while also providing the necessary transparency for any external parties who may scrutinize the use of full restraints on an inmate.
What is an Inmate Restraint System?
In the world of correctional facilities, safety and security are paramount. One critical aspect of maintaining order is the inmate restraint system, which includes various tools, devices, and techniques designed to limit an inmate's movement when necessary. These may include handcuffs, restraint chairs, or more specialized equipment like The WRAP. The primary goal of these systems is to protect both the inmate and the staff by minimizing the risk of injury or death.
When might these tools come into play? Restraints are typically used when an inmate poses a threat to themselves, others, or the overall safety of the facility. They are also essential during inmate transport or specific procedures that require controlled movement.
However, it is important to note that the use of restraints is not arbitrary. Correctional officers must follow strict policies and guidelines to ensure that restraint methods are both safe and humane. This blog highlights five key points everyone should know when using a restraint chair, from best practices to documentation procedures.
For instance, consider the following passages from the Minnesota Department of Corrections regarding its response to resistance and the use of restraint devices:
Resistance by incarcerated people in correctional facilities is dynamic and can be displayed by a variety of activities and behaviors. The goal in responding to resistance is to employ verbal de-escalation techniques, and to use any physical tactics only as necessary to maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone. Responding to resistance is not primarily about force and is not to be used as discipline/punishment.
Staff must only use the least amount of force reasonable to control/resolve the situation and must be able to articulate why the amount of force used was appropriate given the circumstances, documenting de-escalation efforts, less-restrictive uses of force attempted, and why the force used was reasonable on the incident report and the Resistance Use of Force, Pinion Restraint, Canine Bite and Chemical Irritant Review form (attached).
Staff must make every reasonable effort to de-escalate a potential use-of-force situation by acting, including communicating verbally or non-verbally, in an attempt to stabilize the situation and reduce the immediacy of the threat so that more time, options, and resources can be called upon to resolve the situation.
Staff are authorized to respond to resistance and/or use restraints to protect persons or property, prevent escape, restore order, maintain custody and control, and enforce rules.
How Can Command Cloud Help When a Full Restraint System Must be Used?
Consider how the Stearns County Jail (St. Cloud, Minn.) uses Command Cloud to implement its detailed policy and procedures for using The WRAP restraint system.
When an inmate is placed in The WRAP or a restraint chair, the facility follows a strict protocol for observation checks. Initially, an observation check is logged every five minutes for the first 15 minutes. After that, checks are logged every 15 minutes, with a maximum duration of 120 minutes in the restraint device. After two hours, a shift sergeant can evaluate whether it’s necessary to continue using the restraints.
Stearns County Jail uses two modules and a custom special status in Mobile Command XR:
- ERC (Emergency Restraint Chair) Module: This logs when a restraint device is used.
- Movement Locations Module: Specific locations are created for each restraint device. For example, Stearns County Jail has three WRAPs and three restraint chairs, each with a unique location (e.g., WRAP 01, WRAP 02, WRAP 03, etc.).
- “Restraint Devices – First 15 minutes” Special Status: This changes the cadence of the Mobile Compliance Monitor to ensure officers are monitoring the inmate more frequently and remain in compliance.
The maximum amount of time an inmate can remain in a restraint device location is 120 minutes. A separate location, called “Supervisor Review,” is set up with a maximum time of one minute. This location ensures that a supervisor reviews the total restraint time.
Process Overview
- Initiating Restraint: Stearns County Jail staff initiate an inmate movement to a restraint device (e.g., WRAP 01) by scanning the inmate’s RFID wristband or ID card, using the inmate’s cell or pod tag, or manually selecting the inmate.
- Applying Special Status: Jail staff then apply the “Restraint Devices – First 15 minutes” special status to the inmate. This overrides other observation check frequencies for the first 15 minutes, during which observation checks must occur at no more than five-minute intervals.
- Post-15-Minute Observation: After the first 15 minutes, the special status flag is removed, but the observation frequency remains at a maximum of 15 minutes for up to two hours using the Restraints module.
- Supervisor Review: After two hours, the inmate is moved from the restraint device location to the “Supervisor Review” location. This triggers a review by a supervisor to determine if continued use of the restraint device is warranted. If the supervisor decides to extend the restraint for another two hours, the inmate is moved back to the restraint device location, and the process is repeated for another two hours.
In the Restraint module, it’s recommended to provide staff with WordBlocks for more precise documentation tailored to the circumstances. Suggested WordBlocks include:
- Capillary Refill
- Check Blood Pressure
- Offered Water
- Offered Toilet
- Seen by Medical
By utilizing these modules and special statuses, Stearns County Jail can ensure that the restraint process is well-documented, efficient, and complies with both internal protocols and best practices for inmate safety and care.
Restraint devices can be an effective, last-resort measure to gain control of an inmate who poses a serious threat to themselves, staff, or other inmates. When a restraint device is in use, it is crucial to document every decision, observation, and service provided to the inmate during the process. These situations often occur under high tension, and allegations of improper or abusive behavior can escalate quickly.
Utilize the full capabilities of Command Cloud, including Mobile Command XR, to capture comprehensive video and imaging evidence during the restraint event. Ensure that body cameras or fixed security cameras are used to document the entire event—providing a complete picture of what transpired. Avoid relying on partial or selective documentation. Properly capturing the entire event will help prevent any misunderstandings or misinterpretations.
