I. POLICY: The
Department shall provide Protective Custody housing at certain units/centers
within the Arkansas Department of Correction. This housing space must restrict
unauthorized and unsupervised contact with the general population. Inmates may
request to be placed in protective custody if they believe that their safety is
being threatened in the general population. The unit/center administration may
elect to place an inmate in protective custody if they believe he/she is in
danger. Inmates whom the unit/center administration believes may cause (or be
in) security risks to the good order and safety of the institution may be
assigned temporarily to Protective Custody status. Inmates assigned to
temporary protective custody status remain in that status until a determination
is made by the Unit Classification Committee that they should return to the
general population or remain in Protective Custody or transfer to another
unit.
II. EXPLANATION:
Often an inmate assigned to Protective Custody may have a
conflict with other inmates assigned to Protective Custody. Care should be
taken by the Chief of Security or his/her disignee as to cell assignment, job
assignment, recreation, etc., in an effort to maximize each inmate's safety.
Programmatic accommodations should be comparable to those provided for the
general population commensurate with good correctional security
practice.
An inmate may be placed in Protective Custody on a temporary
basis upon the approval of the Warden/Assistant Warden/Chief of Security or
designee.
PROCEDURES:
Inmates temporarily assigned to Protective Custody will have
his/her status reviewed by the Classification Committee after seven days.
Inmates assigned to Protective Custody may have their status reviewed every
month for the first three months and at least every six months. thereafter. The
inmate may appear before the Classification Committee unless a less restrictive
classification is being made or security or other concerns warrant
non-appearance of the inmate.
1. The
Classification Committee shall determine if Protective Custody placement or
continued Protective Custody placement for the inmate is justified, or
recommend that the inmate be released to the general population or transferred
to another unit.
Any of the following may be considered by the Classification
Committee in making its decision:
a.
The inmate requests Protective Custody and/or his/her physical size, stature or
demeanor indicates that he/she is likely to be preyed upon by more aggressive
inmates in the general population.
b. The inmate can present verifiable
information identifying specific individual(s) who present a threat of physical
harm.
c. Information contained in
the inmate's Master File or other areas of the criminal justice system may
indicate a need for Protective Custody.
d. Other justifiable grounds exist that in
the Committee's judgment makes continued placement of the inmate in Protective
Custody necessary for the good order and safety of the institution.
2. In making a recommendation that
an inmate be removed from Protective Custody, or transferred to another unit,
the Committee may consider at least the following:
a. A written report from a member of the
treatment staff and/or security staff who is familiar with the inmate and
his/her situation.
b. A written
report from other inmates, the administrator, the Chaplain, teachers,
assignment supervisors, medical technicians, and other appropriate individuals
who may have information that may aid in the classification of an
inmate.
3. The
Classification Committee may assign an inmate to a housing and program
assignment in the general population or recommend transfer to another
unit.
4. All actions taken by the
Classification Committee require a majority vote.
Board of Correction Approval Date: 1/26/90
Attorney General Review Date: 1/26/90
Date Filed Secy, of State: 1/29/90
Supersedes: 837
Dated: 11/29/79
