Transporting Inmates
I feel the recent Auburn Escape calls attention to several sensitive security subjects. As you know, taking an inmate outside of the facility is always risky. There's no 'down time' like there is inside. You have to raise your awareness to new levels, as the threats can come from many directions. Most inmates don't want to remain in jail and will often try to escape, given the oppourtunity. If I was an inmate with escape on my mind, I'd attempt it on a medical or funeral trip. So- if you are unfamiliar with restraints, it's MUCH better to get advice/help from someone rather than faking it and putting the restraints on the inmate incorrectly. There are procedures to follow and it's easy to get the restraints on in a way that will allow the inmate to slip out of them. You wouldn't believe the inmates I've seen with upside down handcuffs, waist chains around their knees, etc, etc. So- if you want to trip, get trip training, or at least have a regular trip CO check out your setup.
Now, I hate to second guess CO's, but the recent Auburn escape makes me think that the inmate's restraints were on too loose. When attaching cuffs, put them on the smallest part of the wrist, don't let the inmate jam his arms forward and then complain that the bracelets are too tight. Slide the tip of your thumb into the cuff when you are adjusting it. That's plenty of room for him. The same with leg-irons. You DO NOT want him slipping out of them! Don't forget to backlock them, that will provent them from tightening and then there no excuse for messing with them later.
Become familiar with the S&W Model 10 and your holster. Practice shooting. Become a good shot. Play paintball, which will give you practice shooting at people that are running around and shooting at you.
Then, look deep into your heart. If you don't think you can do your job, which may include shooting someone in the back as he's running away from you, then stay inside the perimeter.
And always remember, we work for a malicious employer. They say, the moment you fire a weapon, a dump truck full of paperwork leaves Albany heading for your house. But if you've properly restrained the inmate and maintained security, there should be no need for gunplay.
Stay safe...
Now, I hate to second guess CO's, but the recent Auburn escape makes me think that the inmate's restraints were on too loose. When attaching cuffs, put them on the smallest part of the wrist, don't let the inmate jam his arms forward and then complain that the bracelets are too tight. Slide the tip of your thumb into the cuff when you are adjusting it. That's plenty of room for him. The same with leg-irons. You DO NOT want him slipping out of them! Don't forget to backlock them, that will provent them from tightening and then there no excuse for messing with them later.
Become familiar with the S&W Model 10 and your holster. Practice shooting. Become a good shot. Play paintball, which will give you practice shooting at people that are running around and shooting at you.
Then, look deep into your heart. If you don't think you can do your job, which may include shooting someone in the back as he's running away from you, then stay inside the perimeter.
And always remember, we work for a malicious employer. They say, the moment you fire a weapon, a dump truck full of paperwork leaves Albany heading for your house. But if you've properly restrained the inmate and maintained security, there should be no need for gunplay.
Stay safe...
posted by Donn @ 8:22 AM
5 Comments:
At 12:32 AM,
Anonymous said…
bob the blogger says: welcome back co hunt and martin, hopefully with all back pay. good luck lt. adamczak on your appeal.8/15/6
At 10:30 PM,
Anonymous said…
i don't like your last lines... i've seen many inmates that were properly hooked up slide right out of them... i've even watched it,just ask them sometimes they will show you..and need for "gunplay", maybe you need to-well i stop there and just say we work with convicted felons, there will always be a need for the usage of firearms, the only question to answer is when the shit hits the fan, do you have the balls to use the weapon and kill someone? if you don't, you need to check your skirt and your time at the door and let someone with the balls to do the job carry the gun. i give the co credit for pulling his gun and firing the shots, but a warning shot? firing at his legs? CENTER MASS, kill the fucker.
At 11:23 AM,
Donn said…
Yup, I agree. Firing a warning shot and then slinging lead at a fleeing felon's legs is NOT what we are trained to do. These guys are like potato chips, shoot as many as you want, they'll make more. ;-)
We are trained to shoot CENTER OF MASS. If the inmate has chosen to store his vital organs there, well, that's on him.
At 11:32 AM,
Donn said…
In response to some anonymous blogger, let's look at my last line. I said: if you've properly restrained the inmate and maintained security, there should be no need for gunplay.
Perhaps I should have added the word 'hopefully'. But looking at the Auburn Escape, several breaches of security had to happen before that inmate went running down the street. Even if he was Harry Houdini and got out of properly applied restraints (which certainly could happen), he was still locked in the back of a van. He wasn't running anywhere until the door was opened from the outside.
So, just think about what MIGHT happen. And then take steps to prevent it. If an inmate says he has to urinate, your priority is security, not inmate discomfort. If he pees in a van, get somewhere secure, make him clean the van & then you can write him up if you want.
At 9:27 PM,
Kevin FitzPatrick--Cicero, NY said…
Someday, I will tell the truth of what REALLY happened that day, and a lot of you aren't going to like it
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