Florida DOC worker resigns over prisoner escape

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONS & RE-ENTRY

Date:

September 10, 2014

Memo To:

Wardens

From:

Wes Kirkland, Chief Bureau of Security Operations

Subject:

Work Squad Procedures

We must continue to ensure all aspects of Procedure 602.057 (Community/Minimum Outside Work Squads) are adhered to at all times. It is critical to ensure both DC and non-DC Work Squad Supervisors are reminded of the following requirements pertaining to the supervision of inmates: 

Community work squads consisting of minimum, minimum and community, or community custody inmates require sight-and-sound supervision.



The Outside Work Squad Officer, a Department civilian supervisor, a Community Work Squad Officer, or a non-DC supervisor will have in their possession the current inmate identification work cards for the inmates assigned.



In case of an emergency, the Department supervisor or non-DC supervisor will initially attempt to contact the institution/facility. If two (2)-way radio or cell phone communication with the institution is ineffective, contact will be made with the nearest institution and/or contact will be made with a local or state law enforcement agency for assistance.



A Department supervisor of an outside or community work squad will have at least one (1) primary means of direct communication with the control room or area designated by the Warden.

1. If possible, a secondary means of communication will also be available.

2. If communication is by radio and the work squad is scheduled to work at a location out of radio range or use work routes out of radio range, the radio will be supplemented by a cellular telephone.

3. Officers supervising community work squads will communicate with the control room or the work squad monitor at least once during each four (4)-hour block of work or portion of the work day (e.g., morning or afternoon).



Non-DC supervisors will have at least one (1) means of direct communication with either the institution control room or with their respective office.

1. If direct communication is with the outside agency’s respective office, that office will have direct communication capability with the institution’s control room.

Work Squad Procedures September 10, 2014 Page 2

2.

3.

If communication is via radio and the non-DC supervisor’s work squad is scheduled to work or use a work route that is out of radio range, the radio will be supplemented with a cellular telephone.

Non-DC supervisors will communicate with the control room or the work squad monitor (or designated contact) at least once during each four (4)-hour block of work or portion of the work day (e.g., morning or afternoon).



The institution will know the location of its outside and community work squads at all times.

1. Work location information will be relayed to the control room supervisor by the Department civilian supervisor, the Outside Work Squad Officer, the Community Work Squad Officer, or the Work Squad Monitor/Supervisor immediately following the completion of the morning checkout.

3. When communicating the location of the work squad to the control room either directly or indirectly, the Outside Work Squad Officer, the Community Work Squad Officer, or the Work Squad Monitor/Supervisor will utilize the authorized coded system.

4. Non-DC supervisors will directly notify the control room supervisor of the planned work route/location prior to departure or will provide this information to the Work Squad Monitor/Supervisor who will notify the control room supervisor.

5. Subsequent changes in work locations will be reported prior to departure for a new location.



The following are restroom facilities that are acceptable for use by community work squads: 1. Facilities at work sites, government agencies, or non-profit organizations where the work squads are assigned (i.e., Department of Transportation yard, Division of Forestry work sites, city/county yards); 2. A portable toilet that is stationary and located at or in close proximity to the work site which is owned and/or under the management/control of the entity for whom the inmate work crew is working; and 3. Camping style portable toilets that are assigned to the work squad and are moved with the work squad as work sites change. (A privacy barrier, such as a curtain, will be used with this type of restroom facility.)

4. Public restrooms under staff supervision when the restroom facilities are not being utilized by the public (i.e., city, county, or state restroom facilities)



Outside/Community Work Squad Staff-to-inmate ratio: 1. For outside work squads supervised by Outside Work Squad Officers or Department civilian supervisors, the supervisor-to-inmate ratio is flexible; however, the ratio will normally not exceed one (1) supervisor to fifteen (15) inmates.

2. For community work squads supervised by Community Work Squad Officers, the supervisor-to-inmate ratio is flexible; however, the ratio will not exceed one (1) supervisor to fifteen (15) inmates.

3. For work squads supervised by a non-DC supervisor, the supervisor-to-inmate ratio is flexible; however, the ratio will not exceed one (1) supervisor to fourteen (14) inmates as limited by section 946.40(1), F.S. 4. The location of the work site, type of work, and other factors that may affect the supervision and management of inmates on the work squad will be taken into account when determining the actual number of inmates utilized for the above-mentioned squads.

Work Squad Procedures September 10, 2014 Page 3



The Work Squad Monitor/Supervisor will visit and monitor outside and community work squads at their work sites to ensure proper supervision of inmates and compliance with applicable safety standards.

1. Newly formed squads (in existence for less than thirty [30] days) will be visited at least weekly for the first thirty (30) days.

2. Established non-DC supervised work squads will be visited at least bi-monthly with one (1) visit occurring between the 1st and the 15th of each month, and one between the 16 th and the end of each month.

3. Established outside and community work squads supervised by an Outside Work Squad Officer, Florida Department of Corrections’ civilian supervisor, or Community Work Squad Officer will be visited at the work site at least one (1) time per month.



Proper safety equipment that inmates utilize such as gloves, hard-hats, and eye and ear protection. These safety measures and other required safety measures such as the use of safety signs, vests, and clothing, will be followed in accordance with the Environmental Health and Safety Manual.

Furthermore, please continue to ensure all security staff assigned to work squads adhere to the appropriate post orders.