Policy Text
Correctional Services P age 1 of 3 6/05 (REV 4/19)
MJ/RCCC
OPERATIONS ORDER
Housing Unit Checks
The purpose of this Order is to standardize procedures for cond ucting hourly housing unit
checks to account for inmate safety and facility security at th e Main Jail and the Rio
Cosumnes Correctional Center (RCCC) as set forth in Title 15 of the California Code
of Regulations, section 1027.5. I. Policy
The intent of the hourly housing unit check is to account for t he presence of the inmate,
look for signs of distress or t rauma, and confirm cell integrit y. Custody Staff shall conduct
hourly housing unit checks through direct visual observation an d document the housing
unit check. II. Definitions
A. Housing unit checks (“cell ch ecks”) are regular inspections of inmate
housing areas and holding areas by custody staff to ensure the safety,
security, and well-bein g of the inmates.
B. Direct visual observation is the direct personal view of the inmate in the
context of his/her surroundings without the aid of audio/video equipment.
1. Direct visual observation will not be conducted from the con trol room,
but must be made from inside the housing location.
2. Audio/video monitoring may supp lement but not substitute for direct
visual observation. (Cal . Code Regs., tit. 15, § 1006)
C. Housing units are defined as any area where inmates have an assigned
bunk, cell, pod, and/or barrack and maintain any personal inmat e property.
D. Holding areas are defined as any area designed for temporary holding of
inmates who are awaiting assignm ent to a cell, bunk, or housing unit.
1. At the Main Jail , this includes all cells on the first floor.
2. At RCCC , this includes all cells in the booking area.
III. Custody Staff Responsibilities
Correctional Services P age 2 of 3 6/05 (REV 4/19)
MJ/RCCC A. Housing unit checks shall be done by direct visual observati on with no more
than a 60 minute time lapse between checks and not at set times o r
predictable patterns. Custody staff conducting each hourly hous ing unit
check shall document in the hous ing unit log book the following :
1. The beginning time and endi ng time of the check.
2. The housing unit, pod, and/or holding area checked.
3. The name and badge number of the person conducting the check .
B. Custody staff shall physically enter the housing unit when conducting a
direct visual check.
C. If a housing unit check cannot be completed within a 60 minu te time lapse,
custody staff shall document in the housing unit logbook the re ason why the
check was not accomplished.
1. Custody staff shall notify a supervisor as soon as reasonabl y
possible. The supervisor’s name and time notification was made will
be documented in the housing unit logbook.
2. The supervisor shall ensure a housing unit check is complete d as
soon as feasible.
D. Custody staff conducting the ch eck shall observe each inmate assigned to
each cell and/or bunk. Entering a cell is not required unless an inmate
cannot be directly observed.
1. Custody staff should be mindful of Penal Code Section 4021 w hich
specifies that it is unlawful to search the person of any inmat e of the
opposite sex, or to enter into t he room or cell occupied by any inmate
of the opposite sex, except in the company of an employee of th e
same sex as the inmate.
E. Custody staff should also visually inspect each cell or bunk area to ensure
inmates are complying with fac ility regulations. In the event a rule violation
is discovered, custody staff has the option of completing a dis ciplinary write-
up (Incident Information Report, P F-10) and follo wing the disci pline plan.
F. Custody staff assigned to a housing unit shall also visually and physically
inspect the interior, outdoor rec reation area, multipurpose roo ms, and
elevator lobby areas of each housing unit for needed maintenanc e, safety
hazards, and security risks each shift. Custody staff assigned to booking
areas shall visually and physically inspect these areas each sh ift.
1. In the event a maintenance issue is discovered, custody staf f shall
complete a Maintenance Request in accordance with existing procedures.
Correctional Services P age 3 of 3 6/05 (REV 4/19)
MJ/RCCC G. Custody staff assigned to a housing unit shall ensure all do ors leading into
control rooms, housing units, po ds, barracks, stairwells, close ts, etc., are
secured at all times.
Appendices:
Related Orders:
References: Title 15, Article 3 , Sections 1006 and 1027
Penal Code 4021