Policy Text
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MJ/RCCC
OPERATIONS ORDER
Use of Sobering Cells
The purpose of this Order is to outline the procedures for the use and documentation of
the sobering cells at the Main Jail and the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center
(RCCC).
I. Sobering Cell Locations
A. The Main Jail has one (1) male and one (1 ) female sobering cell.
B. At RCCC , one male holding cell equipped with special padding is
available.
C. RCCC does not have a designated fema le sobering cell. Intoxicated
female prisoners requiring placem ent in a sobering cell will be transported
to the Main Jail .
II. Sobering Cell Use, Placement and Removal
A. In accordance with Title 15, Section 1056, the sobering cells shall be used
for holding of prisoners who are a threat to their own safety o r the safety of
others due to their stat e of intoxication.
B. Prisoners placed in the soberi ng cell should be medically cl eared for
custody by medical staff, and sh ould not have a medical conditi on which
requires emergency m edical treatment.
C. Prisoners placed in the sobering cell must be conscious enou gh to
respond to simple commands, not have difficulty breathing, and not have
apparent illnesses or injuries wh ich require immediate medical attention.
D. Custody staff will be responsible for determining the need t o place
prisoners in the sobering cell due to his/her intoxication leve l and the
potential danger the prisoner poses to self or others.
E. Prisoners who no longer pos e a danger to self or others due to his/her
level of intoxication shall be removed from the sobering cell a nd will
continue through the booking process. Custody staff is responsi ble for
determining eligibility for removal from the sobering cell, wit h the
exceptions noted below.
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MJ/RCCC
III. Sobering Cell Monito ring and Documentation
A. Custody staff shall perform direct visual observations of prisoners in a
sobering cell no less t han once every half hour.
B. Each check shall include a vi sual check of the prisoner to e nsure he or
she is breathing regularly. An arousal attempt to ensure the p risoner will
respond to verbal or pressure s timulation shall be done by cust ody staff.
C. Video equipment may be used to supplement but not replace di rect visual
observation.
D. Custody staff shall document the time of the check, along wi th name and
badge number of the person conducti ng the check, on a sobering cell log
form.
E. A Sobering Cell Log Form will be completed any time a prison er is placed
in the sobering cell. Whenever possible, a gray scale image of the
prisoner should be attached to his /her sobering cell log form.
1. A Sobering Cell Log Form is included in the arrest packet, a nd will
be completed by the arresting/transporting officer. The arresting/transporting officer will print his or her name and b adge
number in the appropriate section of the form.
2. Intake staff will ensure the top portion of the form is fill ed out as
completely as possible. The intake staff member will print his or her
name and badge number in the appropr iate section of the soberin g
cell log form after verifying completion.
3. All checks will be documented with the actual time recorded by
custody staff performing the check in the appropriate section o f the
sobering cell log form.
4. If a prisoner is found to be intoxicated in a housing unit, the
prisoner should have a medical ev aluation before placement in t he
sobering cell. Custody staff shall complete the log form and f ollow
the above procedures.
F. Prisoners will not remain in a sobering cell longer than six (6) hours
without an evaluation by medical or custody staff to determine if the
prisoner has an urgent medical problem.
1. Whenever feasible, medical staff will be enlisted to perform a n
evaluation of the prisoner.
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MJ/RCCC 2. Intake staff will document the time of the evaluation, the n ame of
the staff member performing the evaluation, and the result of t he
evaluation in the appropriate sec tion of the sobering cell log form.
3. If the prisoner has a serious medical condition, he or she w ill be
removed from the sobering cell. Urgent medical needs will be
addressed by available medical staff or the prisoner will be re ferred
to the appropriate medical facility. A report will be taken to document the incident.
Appendices: Sobering Cell Log Form (12-P)
Related Orders: None
References: Title 15 Section 1056
Appendix 12-P SACRAMENTO COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
INTOXICATED PRISONER EVALU ATION / SOBERING C ELL LOG FORM
DATE/TIME BOOKED PRISONER NAME (LAST, FIRST, MIDDLE) XREF NUMBE R
DATE OF BIRTH RACE SEX OTHER ID CHARGES
ODOR OF ALCOHOL
NONE________________ �