Resident Living Area Search

1. Resident Living Area Search • By Matthew Kuehl

2. Objectives: • Know the policy and procedure for cell searches (policy #27); • Be able to perform a cell search using a systematic, consistent process; • Prevent introduction of contraband; • Detect the manufacture of weapons and escape devices within the facility; • To check for destruction of facility property; • To discover hazards to health and safety.

3. There are no state standards regarding conducting of searches of resident living areas. • Searches of resident living areas should be conducted routinely, at frequent but irregular intervals. • Juvenile Detention Workers should conduct cell searches if it is believed that contraband or illegal items have been brought into the facility. • If there are items missing within the facility that are considered potentially dangerous (silverware, scissors, razors, etc.), conducting a cell search is also warranted. • Cells should be searched routinely as a precautionary measure. • Never do searches on a regular basis – such as every Thursday afternoon. Residents must not know when searches will occur, or else they will be prepared.

4. If it is necessary to conduct searches of the cells, the JDWs should not enter occupied cells. Residents should be moved into either the dayroom or the multipurpose room while the search is being conducted. • If other workers are on duty, the JDW conducting the search should notify them regarding the procedure and reason for it. • These workers should either supervise the residents while the search is being conducted or assist in the search itself. • JDWs should conduct a thorough search of all cells where contraband or hazardous items might be located.

5. Conduct searches at any other time that you feel necessary, particularly if you have reason to believe that the security of the facility has been breached. For example, some circumstances in which you should consider searching resident living areas include: • If you receive a tip from an informant that other residents are secreting contraband, such as drugs, weapons, items for escape, and so on. • However be aware that informants giving such information may be conducting a “con game”; they may be checking you out, to see if you will follow appropriate security measures; • If any facility keys are discovered missing • If you have other evidence or suspicion that residents are secreting contraband

6. Guidelines for searches • Never announce a search. Do not let residents know in advance that a search is going to happen, or which living area (s) will be searched. • Be thorough, systematic and complete in searching each cell. • It takes time to do a thorough search, but there is no room for shortcuts. If you are attentive to details when searching, inmates will know that and will respect your efficiency, and will probably make fewer attempts to conceal contraband. On the other hand, they will also know if you are lax or indifferent, and will then make even greater efforts to conceal contraband. • They may hide a minor item in a particular location in a cell or room to see if you will find that item, that tells them if they can continue to hide items in that location. • To be thorough, search each cell or room the same way. Search each area completely before moving to the next.

7. Never use searches to harass residents • You will build unnecessary resentment if you do, and create an unhealthy climate in the facility. • Have all the tools you might need in a search: • Protective gloves; • Flashlight; • Probes, such as wire to probe in to drains; • Mirror on long handle to aid in looking below and behind hard-to-reach areas; • Log sheet to document information and any contraband found; • A hand-held metal detector • Remove residents from living area. If you are going to search all cells in a living area, remove all residents from that living area, and search them (residents) first. • Residents should not be allowed to view searches. If they see your techniques, they will be better able to hide things the next time.

8. Put on your protective gloves before doing the search • This is important in order to avoid exposure to infectious or contagious diseases, and so on. • Use the puncture resistant gloves to help protect against sticks. • Before beginning the search, pause for a moment and look at the whole area in order to get an overall impression. • Examine the mattress and pillow as follows: • Examine seams to see if they’ve been ripped open or re-sewed; • Look for any cuts in them; • Run your hand over both sides, feeling for hard objects such as knives, drugs and so on; • Use the metal detector to frisk them; • Replace worn or damaged items

9. Look under furniture for items that may have been stuck there. • The metal desk and stool and the bunk frame; • Check for items that may have been attached with tape or gum or even glue; • Look for evidence of tampering with bolts or screws in the furniture. • Look under the rim of the washbowl, toilet, floor drain, and bunk. Use the mirror for this. • Examine the rest of the washbowl and toilet thoroughly. • Look for strings tied to or extending into the toilet bowl; • Check into the toilet bowl with your hands or a probing instrument. • Inspect the walls, floor and ceiling, checking superficially to see whether mortar or other surfaces have been disturbed. • If you discover holes or cracks, probe them for possible hidden contraband.

10. Examine interior windows, heat and air ducts, and floor drains. Run your hand over them if you can. • Residents sometimes hang articles on string or thread or wires, and suspend them behind grills or drains. • Be careful when running your hands over these surfaces. Residents sometimes hide sharp objects. • Examine shelves and all articles on or in them. • Do not overlook anything. An innocent-appearing item may contain hidden contraband. • Check all bars and crossbars for evidence of tampering. • Leaf through books and papers. • Examine clothing • Feel seams of clothing to see if they contain items of contraband

11. Examine personal possessions, including hygiene and sanitary items. • Overlook nothing. Simple items like a roll of toilet paper. A tube of toothpaste, or a deodorant stick can be used to hide contraband. • With toothpaste, squeeze some out to check the tube; • With deodorant, take the stick part out and check the hollow space at the bottom of the container; • Remove personal letters from envelopes to examine for contraband. • Check all locks to be sure they are working properly. • Check to see if items have been jammed into the locking lugs – such as rags, paper, gum and so on. • Check sliding doors and check the tracks and underneath the bottom plate when the doors are open and shut. Check both inside and outside.

12. If there is reason to believe that the missing items or contraband are being hidden on the person of a resident, JDWs may conduct personal patdown searches according to the guidelines set forth for them. • If you discover contraband, do not stop the search and report it. Just inventory it and continue to search the cell or room until completely done. • When you have completed the search, put the items back in reasonable order. • Remember: If you leave the cell or room in a mess and expect the resident to clean it, you will cause unnecessary hard feelings.

13. After a search is completed, the staff person conducting the search should document completion of the search in the cell search log. • If any contraband or notable damage was found, the search should be documented in an Incident Report. • The reason for the search, the cells search, who conducted the search and the results should all be noted. • If necessary, copies of the Incident Report should be placed in the pertinent juveniles’ files. • Any contraband found should be turned over to a facility supervisor for disposal. • Any damage should be record on a Property Damage Report

14. Upon completion of this mini-training, please click here to email notification of your completion to David Steinberg. Thank you.