Code of Massachusetts Regulations
103 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION
Title 103 CMR 505.00 - Use Of Force
Section 505.13 - Prohibitions on the Use of Excessive Force

Universal Citation: 103 MA Code of Regs 103.505

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

(1) A staff person shall not use or permit the use of excessive force.

(2) A staff person shall not use or permit the use of force as inmate punishment or discipline.

(3) Any staff person who observes excessive force shall submit a comprehensive incident report which sets forth their observations and the nature of their intervention to the supervisor or Shift Commander using the fastest means available. Such report shall be consistent with the requirements of 103 CMR 505.17.

(4) A failure to comply with the following requirements shall be considered excessive force:

(a) Staff members shall not use their body weight for longer than necessary to gain control of and/or restrain the inmate in situations involving an unrestrained inmate who is resisting efforts of staff members to gain control.

(b) Staff members shall never sit or put their body weight on an inmate's back, chest, or abdomen once an inmate is secured in restraints.

(c) Staff members shall never connect handcuffs to leg restraints.

(d) Staff members shall not intentionally sit, kneel, or stand on an inmate's chest or spine, and shall not force an inmate to lie on their stomach except when necessary to gain, regain, or maintain control of an inmate and apply restraints. Staff members shall not intentionally sit, kneel, or stand on an inmate's neck or head.

(5) Lethal Force shall never be used except to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury to any person.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Massachusetts may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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