Policy Text
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MJ/RCCC
OPERATIONS ORDER
Inspections and Organized Searches (Shakedowns)
The purpose of this Order is to standardize procedures for cond ucting inspections and
organized searches, commonly k nown as “shakedowns” at the Main Jail and the Rio
Cosumnes Correctional Center (RCCC).
I. Policy
Routine searches shall be conduct ed by custody staff to maintai n the security of the
facility, provide for the safe ty of staff and inmates, and to p rovide for the division
commander to manage operations. Thes e described searches shall be conducted by
sworn and non-sworn st aff of all areas of the facility to which prisoners and/or the public
have or could have access. II. General Information
A. Routine searches, to include or ganized “shakedowns” may be c onducted
at any time. Searches shall be conducted in a systematic, rou tine, and
thorough manner.
1. At the beginning of each staff members (sworn or non-sworn) shift,
he/she should inspect their work station/area for hazards,
contraband, etc. Any safety i ssues found should be reported to
his/her supervisor and/or the divi sion’s safety representative.
B. Probable cause or r easonable suspicion is not required prior to any
search. There is no intention to establish a reasonable expect ation of
privacy for prisoners.
C. Searches will not be conduct ed for punitive or harassment re asons.
D. Care will be taken to avoid unnecessary destruction or disre gard of a
prisoner or member of the pub lic’s personal property.
E. Any item found which could be considered a weapon shall be i mmediately
reported to a sworn custody s upervisor and documented in accord ance
with the following sections.
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MJ/RCCC
III. Definitions
A. Interior Searches include examinations of t he physical structure,
equipment, and furniture of a des ignated area within the secure perimeter
of the facility.
B. Public Area Searches are systematic examinations of any area within the
facility that is accessed by the public.
C. Perimeter Searches are systematic examinati ons of the outside physical
structure and the surrounding ar ea for contraband, security bre aches,
maintenance problems, and signs of escape.
D. Organized Housing Unit/D esignated area “Shakedown”
1. “Shakedowns” generally inclu de a search of an area where
prisoners are housed, recreat e, or where they work.
2. “Shakedowns” typically require more than a few sworn custody staff
members to facilitate as a l arge number of prisoners may be
present.
a. “Shakedown’s” may require p risoners to be individually
searched and moved to another area.
3. Each watch shall be respons ible for scheduling organized
“Shakedowns” that allows for the search coverage to be applied
equally and the element of surpr ise is kept at a maximum.
E. “Shakedown” and/or “Cell/Bunk Search” forms
1. Each facility may authorize t he use of a “Shakedown” and/or “Cell
Search” forms.
F. “Search Kits”
1. Search Kits may contain tool s, special equipment, or other i tems
that would allow staff to inspec t areas not readily accessible or
visible.
IV. Cell Searches
A. Routine cell/bunk searches s hould be conducted on a daily ba sis in every
housing unit.
B. The cell/bunk search shall be conducted in an organized, sys tematic,
routine, and thorough manner.
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MJ/RCCC C. The cell/bunk search may be re corded on a “Cell/Bunk Search” form
and/or in the housing unit log book.
D. Custody staff may complete a disciplinary write up for items found.
E. Any property, contraband, or illegal items shall be dealt wi th in accordance
with existing department policy.
V. General Procedures for Conducting a “Shakedown”
A. A sworn supervisor shall be notified prior to conducting an Organized
Housing Unit/Designated area “Shakedown”.
B. The custody staff member assi gned to the area where a “Shake down” has
been conducted shall complete a Log Book entry regarding the
shakedown.
1. Custody staff members participat ing from other areas should also
enter their participation in t heir assigned area’s Log Book.
C. Whenever possible:
1. A sworn supervisor shall be pr esent during the “Shakedown”.
2. A handheld video recorder s hall be utilized to record the
“Shakedown.”
3. The sworn custody staff mem ber organizing the “Shakedown” sh all
develop a plan, assign staff members to specific tasks, review the
plan with a supervisor for im plementation, and submit the
completed “Shakedown” form to the supervisor.
a. A supervisor may authorize the deployment of tactical
weapons for a “Shakedown.”
4. The Intelligence Unit supervi sor and/or a member from the
Intelligence Unit should be notified when an organized
“Shakedown” is conducted.
D. The “Shakedown” will be conduct ed in an organized, systemati c, routine,
and