NCJ Number
201521
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 65 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2003 Pages: 86-89
Date Published
July 2003
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses a simulated emergency evacuation exercise conducted by the Cape May County Correctional Center in New Jersey in coordination with Bayside New Jersey State Prison.
Abstract
The exercise scenario began with the simulated loss of electrical power resulting from a major storm, further compounded by the failure of the correctional center’s emergency generator and the inability to repair it for at least 3 days. This caused the center’s staff to implement emergency evacuation procedures for 223 inmates. The objectives of the exercise included evaluating the support requirements to move inmates under emergency conditions; evaluating the center’s emergency evacuation policy and procedures; and conducting an after-action review, or critique, immediately following the exercise. During the exercise, the correctional center’s staff followed and evaluated a new emergency evacuation policy and procedure checklist that allowed more flexibility for the shift commanders and supervisors, as well as the officers. The checklist was broken down into the various officer responsibilities and support personnel requirements. Overall, the emergency evacuation exercise was conducted in a very safe and secure manner without any accidents or injuries. It reinforced the value of planning, as well as coordination and cooperation from State, county, and municipal agencies. One of the lessons learned was that more officers are required to search and load inmates in order to evacuate the center faster. Routes to and from the alternate evacuation site must be thoroughly planned, coordinated, and secured. Convoy operations require thorough training, communications, and safety briefings. Plans must be flexible, published, and reviewed periodically, and staff and support personnel must be periodically trained. A safety officer overseeing operations will enhance the process. Emergency planning is one of the most important responsibilities of any jail administration for staff and inmates because without good planning, chaos will reign, security will be breached, and the lives of staff, visitors, and inmates will be in jeopardy.