Gordon Graham
Category: Corrections
Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Today I want to talk to my corrections friends about use of force in a custody setting.
Look, I understand the topic of force can quickly get complicated. But today I want to focus on some basic things to keep in mind when a situation requiring force arises.
Don’t wait until a use of force situation arises to start thinking about how you’ll respond and document your actions.
Let’s start with the obvious. Inmates are in a controlled environment. But a major disturbance in a housing unit can be anything but controlled. As correctional officers, there are things you must consider before using force to restore order and control.
For example, your agency likely authorizes the use of one or more control devices. These devices are designed to reduce the need for physical force in the event of a fight, riot, or other disturbance. They can also reduce the likelihood of injuries to both correctional officers and inmates. Generally, control devices work as intended. You should also consider verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques before force is used. Sometimes letting things cool off reduces the need for force.
That said, there will likely come a time when you’ll have no option but to use force. Once control and order are restored, you must articulate and justify why you believed the force used was necessary. You must be able to explain, in detail, why the facts and circumstances you perceived at the time warranted the force used. Make sure your report includes answers to some key questions. What threat did the inmate present? Did you feel you were in danger? Were others in danger? Were there no reasonable alternatives to the force that was used?
Don’t wait until a use of force situation arises to start thinking about how you’ll respond and document your actions.
And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Until next time, Gordon Graham signing off.
