Policy Text
I.93 USE OF RESTRAINT EQUIPMENT Page 1 of 6
#18//12 San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Detention Services Bureau – Manual of Policies and Procedures
PURPOSE
To establish the criteria and procedures for the use of authorized restrain t equipment on any in-custody
inmate .
POLICY
Instruments o f restraint may be applied to inmates in accordance with outlined procedures and
Addendum F . Restraints shall never be used as a form of discipline or a substitute for treatment . All
inmates placed in restraints shall be segregated away from other inmat es, to prevent abuse. This policy
is not intended to affect the use of restraints for the routine movement of inmates (e.g., handcuffs, waist
chains ). Each facility shall outline, via a green sheet , the types of restraining equipment available as
well as the storage location. In situations dealing with a n inmate known to be pregnant, or in recovery ;
after delivery; refer to Detention P&P: I.51, I.57 ; M.38.
PROCEDURE
I. AUTHORIZATION FOR PLACEMENT AND R ETENTION IN A PRO -STRAINT CHAIR
A. Absent exigent c ircumstances, the watch commander shall be notified prior to an
inmate’s placement into restraints (Pro-Straint c hair). The watch commander will
evaluate the circumstances that exist and determine if restraints shall be applied and the
type(s) to be used.
B. Except for monitoring of inmate's health status, medical staff does not participate in the
placement of restraints on inmates ordered by sworn staff. When restraints are used by
sworn staff for security reasons, medical staff is notified immediately in order for them
to:
1. Review the health record for any contraindications or accommodations required,
which, if present, are immediately communicated to the watch commander within
one hour of placement .
2. Initiate health monitoring, which continues at desig nated intervals as long as the
inmate is restrained. A medical assessment shall also be completed as outlined in
Medical Services Division policy and procedure MSD.R.3 . If the health of the
inmate is at risk, it will be immediately communicated to the wa tch commander .
DATE: SEPTEMBER 14, 2018
NUMBER: I.93
SUBJECT: USE OF RESTRAIN T EQUIPMENT
RELATED SECTIONS: DSB P&P I.45, I.51, I.57, I.89, M.25 ; Addendum F ; MSD.R.3
NUMBER: A.15
SUBJECT: PUBLIC INFORMATION PLAN
RELATED S ECTIONS: TITLE 15 CCR SECTION 1045
I.93 USE OF RESTRAINT EQUIPMENT Page 2 of 6
#18//12 C. The watch commander is responsible for determining the need for the inmate’s continued
retention in restraints. Such retention shall be reviewed a minimum of every hour. The
inmate’s behavior will be monitored and their progress noted on the Inmate Observation
Log (J -19A form). The watch commander will ensure restraints are removed as soon as
conditions allow.
II. PLACEMENT IN A PRO -STRAINT CHAIR
A. One deputy from the placement te am shall be designated as the "safety deputy." The
safety d eputy's sole responsibility is to monitor the health and safety of the inmate bei ng
placed into the Pro -Straint c hair. If at any time during the placemen t, the safety d eputy
determines the inmate may be in immediate physical distress, such that the inmate may
suffer serio us bodily injury or death, the safety d eputy shall immediately stop the
placement. N ecessary precautions will be taken to ensure the wellbeing and safety of the
inmate. The watch commander or designated sworn supervisor shall be o n scene to
monitor Pro -Straint c hair placements. Absent exigent circumstances, the watch
commander will have the chair placement event digitally recorded on a portable device .
1. Prior to placing an inmate into the Pro -Straint c hair, and if the inmate is
hand cuffed , deputies shall apply leg and waist chains prior to remov ing the
handcuffs . The safety d eputy shall monitor this process.
2. Waist chain handcuffs must be double -locked to prevent inmate manipulation
which can cause complications (e.g., affect blood c irculation in the wrists).
3. Leg and waist chains may remain on the i nmate while in the Pro -Straint c hair.
4. The continued retention should be evaluated at every check; no inmate sh ould
remain in the Pro -Straint c hair for longer than two (2) hours without ju stification
and approval from th e watch commander. Pro -Straint c hair placements exceeding
two (2) hours shall require written justification on a supplemental Incident Report
in NetRMS and will be approved by the watch commander.
B. Pro-Straint c hairs can be permanently mounted in any location, where the inmate can be
constantly observed, or serve as a portable device. As a po rtable device, the Pro -Straint
chair can be moved to various locations within a facility.
C. After an inmate i s removed from the Pro -Straint c hair, the inmate shall be medically
evaluated by medical staff as soon as possible.
III. OBSERVATION AND EVALUATION OF INMATES IN A PRO -STRAINT CHAIR