B.15.01.R11 Search Reporting

Procedure Standard

• The security of the Prison is maintained, and the introduction of contraband and unauthorised articles, their coming into the possession of prisoners, or being retained by prisoners, is prevented.

Procedure

Frequency and Areas

1. All areas of the Prison are to be periodically searched by the staff working in that area:

• All common yards and areas are to be searched daily;
• All prisoner communal areas including laundries, toilets, etc are to be searched daily;
• At least two cells per unit are to be searched daily on a random basis.
• All Health Centre areas are to be searched daily;
• The Receiving Office area is to be searched at least once daily including all cells and holding rooms.
• All visits areas, visitors' lockers and any interview rooms are to be searched by the staff working in that area prior to, and at the completion of, each session;
• An institutional lockdown search is to be at the Prison Manager’s discretion.

2. All searches are to be carried out in a professional and dignified manner.
3. Where required, strip searches are to be conducted out of sight of other prisoners as expeditiously as possible and with due regard to the dignity and self respect of the prisoner.
4. Two officers of the same sex as the person being searched are to be present for all strip searches and are not to touch the prisoner.

Cell Searching

5. At all times, due care is to be exercised when searching prisoners’ property.
6. Whenever possible, the result of searching is not to drastically alter the condition of the area searched. Unit Managers are required to audit all unit cell searches on a weekly basis from the IOMS report tree.
7. Two officers are to be present when searching a prisoner’s cell. All searches must be entered in IOMS.
8. Searching should always be conducted methodically and thoroughly.
9. Some Key Questions are to be asked of the prisoner:

• Q1 Does everything in this cell belong to you?
• Q2 If not, please identify what is not yours.

10. The prisoners are to be informed of some Key Statements:

• S1 You are aware that anything found in this cell will be deemed your property.
• S2 All contraband will be confiscated and charges under the Corrections Act 2004 section 128 may result.

11. All Corrections Officers will observe prisoner behavior for any irregularity that might cause reason for a search.

Confiscation and Holding of Contraband

1. Any unauthorised items found are to be managed in a way that protects their integrity as an exhibit in accordance with PPM B.12.03.
2. Unauthorised Items are to be handed to the Crime Prevention Manager or PCO CSU after hours.
3. Disposal of exhibits is to be carried out in accordance with PPM B.12.03 R2.

Recording of Searches

1. All searches must be recorded on the Integrated Offender Management System (IOMS) function.
2. A record of searches must also be included in search book
3. All incident reports resulting from the detection of contraband must be entered in IOMS.

Search Register (IOMS)

1. The following searches are to be recorded on the IOMS search register:

• Cell Searches;
• All Prisoner Searches(strip, scanner, rubdown)
• All drug dog detection searches;
• Area Searches; and
• Facility Searches.

General Searches

1. Cells, living areas and dining rooms, where prisoners may secrete items without the risk of being identified, are to be searched on a regular basis and search kits should be used.
2. All areas of the visiting section are to be searched before and after sessions including furniture, rubbish, waiting room and toilets. Prisoner movement is to be observed during contact visit sessions.
3. Perimeter areas and fence-lines are to be searched prior to morning unlock and inspected at regular and random intervals.
4. Exercise and recreation areas are to be inspected prior to unlocking each morning.
5. All areas of prisoner traffic are to be searched regularly and at random.
6. All ducts and false ceilings are to be periodically searched, doors and openings routinely monitored for tampering.
7. The gymnasium is to be searched following use and is to be subject to extra searches as directed by a Manager.
8. The Prison Manager, on receipt of information may require a search be conducted under lockdown conditions. A detailed report regarding the operation is to be completed.
9. Wheelie bins are to be searched on a regular and frequent basis.
10. Electronic “wands” are to be utilised on a frequent basis.
11. The Unit Managers are to audit the unit search utilising the IOMS search register on a weekly basis.

Flowchart

There is no flowchart associated with this procedure.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Crime Prevention Manager

12. Manage exbits in a process that protects their intergrity
13. Receive Incident Reports resulting from finds of contraband.

Unit Managers / PCOs

14. Direct frequent and regular searches of common areas.
15. Observe strip procedures periodically to ensure that the process is carried out in a professional and dignified manner.

Corrections Officers

16. Ensure thorough searches of the unit are carried out daily.
17. Be alert and watchful for any signs of contraband in the unit.
18. Rubdown search any prisoner leaving or entering the unit.
19. Thoroughly search at least two cells in each unit every day using the search kit. Record these searches in the IOMS function and the search book.
20. All cells must be searched at least 3 times during a month and on every occasion when a cell is vacated, and at any time directed by the Prison Manager.