Policy Text
Correctional Services P age 1 of 3 6/05 (REV 9/10)
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 prisoner safety and facility securit y at the Main Jail and the
Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center (RCCC). Title 15, Article 3, Section 1027 defines
this as Hourly Safety Checks. I. Policy
The intent of the hourly housing unit check is to account for t he presence of the
prisoner, look for signs of observable distress or trauma, and confirm cell integrity.
Custody Staff shall conduct hourly housing unit checks through direct visual observation
and document the housing unit check. II. Definitions
A. Housing unit checks (“cell checks”) are regular inspections of prisoner
housing areas and holding areas by custody staff to ensure the safety,
security, and well bein g of the prisoners.
B. Direct visual observation is the direct personal view of the prisoner in the
context of his/her surroundings without the aid of audio/video equipment.
1. Direct visual observation wi ll not be conducted from the con trol
room, but must be made from ins ide the housing location.
2. Audio/video monitoring may s upplement but not substitute for direct
visual observation. (Title 15, Article 3, Section 1006)
C. Housing units are defined as any area where prisoners have a n assigned
bunk, cell, pod, and/or barrack and maintain any personal priso ner
property.
D. Holding areas are defined as any area designed for temporary holding of
prisoners who are awaiting assi gnment to a cell, bunk, or housi ng 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.
Correctional Services P age 2 of 3 6/05 (REV 9/10)
MJ/RCCC III. Custody Staff Responsibilities
A. Housing unit checks shall be done by direct visual observation at
least once every hour but not at set ti mes or in predictable patterns.
B. Custody staff conducting each hourly housing unit check shal l document
in the housing 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 .
C. Custody staff shall physically enter the housing unit when conducting a
direct visual check.
D. If a housing unit check cannot be completed during a given h our, custody
staff shall document in the hous ing unit logbook the reason 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.
E. Custody staff conducting the check shall observe each prison er assigned
to each cell and/or bunk. Entering a cell is not required unless a prisoner
can not be directly observed.
1. Custody staff should be mindf ul of Penal Code Section 4021 w hich
specifies that it is unlawful to search the person of any priso ner of
the opposite sex, or to enter int o the room or cell occupied by any
prisoner of the opposite sex, except in the company of an emplo yee
of the same sex as the prisoner.
F. Custody staff should also visually inspect each cell or bunk area to ensure
prisoners are complying with fac ility regulations. In the even t a rule
violation is discovered, cust ody staff has the option of comple ting a
disciplinary write-up (Incident Information Report, PF-10) and following the
discipline plan.
G. Custody staff assigned to a housing unit shall also visually and physically
inspect the interior, outdoor recreation area, multipurpose roo ms, and
elevator lobby areas of each ho using unit for needed maintenanc e, safety
hazards, and security risks eac h shift. Custody staff assigned to booking
areas shall visually and physically inspect these areas each sh ift.
Correctional Services P age 3 of 3 6/05 (REV 9/10)
MJ/RCCC 1. In the event a maintenance issue is discovered, custody staf f shall
complete a Maintenance Request in accordance with existing procedures.
H. 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: Maintenance Request Form
Related Orders: Operations Order 9/11, Maint enance Requests and Equipment
Repair
References: Title 15, Article 3 , Sections 1006 and 1027
Penal Code 4021