Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 2, February 2024
I.
POLICY OF DEPARTMENT:
To establish uniform procedures and ensure the safety and
security of all inmates, staff and community when assisting the Office of
Emergency Services and/or National Guard in times of disaster in the State of
Arkansas, as requested by the Chief Executive Officer of the State.
II.
EXPLANATION:
A. All requests for disaster assistance must
be referred to the Director, (Assistant Directors in the absence of the
Director), who has the authority to gather information, determine
priority(ies), and to approve or deny those requests.
In death threatening situations or extreme emergencies where
immediate responses are called for, authorization may be given by the
Warden/Center Supervisor of the unit/center closest to the disaster site, while
notifying the Director.
The uniform procedures are:
1. When requests for assistance are denied,
the Director or designee will explain the denial to the requesting
agency.
2. The Director or his
designee, upon approval, will determine which unit(s)/center(s) will
participate, (based on the location of the disaster), the security
classification of inmates, and the number needed to perform the work.
3. The appropriate Warden/Center Supervisor
or his/her designee will be notified by the Director or his designee and will
initiate the process of forming an Inmate Emergency Work Crew in accordance
with unit/center Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
B. The Department is subject to 24-hour call
for disaster related assistance with institutional security and staff/inmate
safety being given top priority.
After the Director or his designee's approval, every effort will
be made by the Arkansas Department of Correction to have the Inmate Emergency
Work Crew en route to the designated work site within three (3) hours
maximum.
C. Inmates will
work only in areas where the requesting official has responsibility and
authority. The requesting official must have primary authority in the specific
disaster area, e.g., the county judge within a county, the mayor within the
city limits or a state department head on his/her departmental grounds. The
Director or his designee will ascertain the contact person and inform the
appropriate Warden/Center Supervisor accordingly.
1. The scope of work includes clearing only
rights of way or other public facilities. A right of way is defined as a
corridor purchased for public use, to construct or build and maintain a road
facility for public use, to construct or build and maintain a road facility for
public use, e.g., highways, roads, streets, driveways and walkways. (ADC Inmate
Emergency Work Crews will not work on private property under any
circumstances.)
2. Working hours
will be determined considering good security and inmate safety.
3. In assisting during a disaster, the
Arkansas Department of Correction will furnish the following:
a. Inmate Emergency Work Crew(s)
b. Supervisory and security staff during
work
c. Transportation of inmates
and staff to and from work sites
d.
Appropriate hand tools (axe, shovel, hoes)
4. Meals and lodging for inmates and staff,
if needed, must be provided by the requesting agency. The requesting agency
will be required to provide transportation for inmates and staff to and from
work sites and appropriate hand tools, if these cannot be furnished by the
Arkansas Department of Correction.
D. The Warden/Center Supervisor for each
unit/center is responsible for developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
to ensure smooth implementation of this rule. The Warden/Center Supervisor will
provide the Director and Assistant Directors with copies of the SOP.
E. The Department of Correction will work
with the requesting agency on details and handling the reimbursement of
Arkansas Department of Correction expenses.
Board Approval Date: 02/04/83
Effective Date: 5/24/83
