I41 (Revised)

I.41 INMATE CELL SEARCHES Page 1 of 2 #14//1 0 San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Detention Services Bureau – Manual of Policies and Procedures PURPOSE To establish procedures for the search of inmate cells, housing units and areas used by inmates. POLICY To ensure protection for inmates and staff by providing a safe and secure environment free of contraband, weapons, excessive personal property (which would provide fuel for fire), contagious diseases and vermin and to protect inmates from unreasonable searches. PROCEDURES I. CELL, HOUSING UNITS OR AREA SEARCHES All conducted searches should be documented in JIMS. The entry should include areas searched and the employees who conducted the search. A. SCHEDULED INSPECTIONS - Prior notice of the inspection is given to the inmates who may prepare their housing area for the inspection (i.e. cleaning the floors, bars, windows, etc., laying personal property out, etc.). This type of inspection is for cleanliness standards compliance and to evaluate adherence to rules and regulations as to the amount of personal property and jail issued property each inmate has. It should not result in the inmate -housing unit being left in disarray by the inspecting deputies. B. UNSCHEDULED CELL SEARCHES - These searches are for the purpose of preventing violence, preventing escape, or controlling contraband. Searches are not to be conducted for the purpose of harassing, intimidating or punishing inmates. This type of search will necessarily cause the inmates' property and bedding to be inspected thoroughly, which may result in some disarray. The deputies conducting the search should make every reasonable effort to assure that the p roperty is not destroyed or misplaced. This type of search may be done at any time . C. The above time restrictions do not apply to hourly cell security checks performed day and night to reduce jail escapes, control contraband and prevent inmate assaults. DATE: SEPTEMBER 4 , 2014 NUMBER: I.41 SUBJECT: INMATE CELL SEARCHES RELATED SECTIONS: L.2, P.3, IN COMPLI ANCE WITH: 4021 P.C., PR ISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT of 200 3 I.41 INMATE CELL SEARCHES Page 2 of 2 #14//1 0 II. ENTERING CELLS OCCUPIED BY INMATES OF THE OPPOSITE SEX Per Penal Code Section 4021 when the inmate is present in the cell an employee of the same sex as the inmate shall be present during the inspection or search of an inmate's cell. III. PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION While conducting inmate cell searches and/or inspections , privileged communications (i.e. correspondence from State and Federal courts, any member of the State Bar or holder of public office, Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB), Internal Affairs, Office of the Sheriff, the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC), PREA Auditor and f acility commander or the a ssistant f acility c ommander) may be examined for contraband pursuant to the search and/or inspection. However, privileged communications shall only be scanned for security concerns and valida tion of privileged content in the presence of the inmate .