NCJ Number
149896
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1994) Pages: 88,90,92-93
Date Published
1994
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The mission of any inmate transportation unit is the safe and secure movement of inmates from one point to another, with particular attention paid to officer safety and inmate security.
Abstract
The first primary area of concern is inmate supervision. Inmates must be classified according to current criminal charges, previous record, propensity toward violence, assaultive behavior, escape risk, residency, and crime partner information. Correctional officers must take care to verify the identity of all inmates in the transport unit, use security restraint devices on every prisoner, and prohibit inmates from changing seating assignments in the transport vehicle or having unauthorized communication with anyone outside the vehicle. Inmates who are violent or at high risk of escape should be subject to special handling procedures. The second area of concern is vehicle and travel route preparation; issues here involve vehicle mechanical condition and security integrity, and total familiarity with the planned route. Officers must be prepared to deal with any deviations from the planned route in order to avoid escape attempts. The final area of concern addressed here is transport policy and staff training. Officers who are assigned to inmate transportation on a full-time basis are in special need of ongoing training that addresses driver licensing, security and procedures, and communication and people skills.