The purpose and effect of the proposed rule is to clarify the requirements and procedures for video recording the administration of chemical agents on inmates creating disturbances in their cells and to amend form DC4-711A, Refusal of Health Care ...

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
33-602.210: Use of Force
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose and effect of the proposed rule is to clarify the requirements and procedures for video recording the administration of chemical agents on inmates creating disturbances in their cells and to amend form DC4-711A, Refusal of Health Care Services, to insert a signed statement by an interpreter or translator.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Use of force.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 944.09 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 776.07, 944.09, 944.35 FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Dorothy M. Ridgway, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2500

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

33-602.210 Use of Force.

(1) through (3) No change.

(4) Physical force shall be employed only as a last resort when it reasonably appears that other alternatives are not feasible to control the situation and will not be used solely in response to verbal abuse that does not rise to a level of a disturbance. When the use of force is justified, only that amount and type of force that reasonably appears necessary to accomplish the authorized objective shall be used.

(a) All authorized use of force incidents will be video recorded in their entirety, except that videotaping the administration of chemical agents is not required for use on an inmate creating a disturbance in his or her cell when the officer is attempting to resolve the situation without extracting the inmate from the cell.

(b) The administration of chemical agents on an inmate creating a disturbance in his or her cell when the officer is attempting to resolve the situation without extracting the inmate from the cell will also be video recorded. The video recording will include: a specific introductory statement; the attempts to resolve the situation without the use of chemical agents; the final order by the supervisor; an advisement to the inmate that chemical agents will be administered if he or she continues the disruptive behavior; an additional advisement to the inmate that this warning will not be repeated prior to the application of chemical agents should he or she become disruptive again after the supervisor, camera and camera operator have left the area; and any response made by the inmate. The video recording will also include the actual application of chemical agents, Videotaping will be initiated after the final exposure to chemical agents and will continue from this point until the offer of a decontaminating shower and is provided, the medical examination is completed, and the inmate’s is returned to a secure, decontaminated cell. Should the inmate refuse the shower for decontamination purposes or refuse the medical examination, both the staff providing the opportunity in each case and the inmate’s responses will be recorded. If the inmate should cease the conduct creating the disturbance while the supervisor, camera and camera operator are present, but resume such conduct after the supervisor, camera and camera operator have left the area, the actual application of the chemical agents will not be videotaped. The original video recording will resume following the final exposure to chemical agents, include a statement referring to the originating incident, and continue from this point until the decontaminating shower and medical examination are offered and the inmate is returned to secure, decontaminated housing.

(c) All spontaneous use of force incidents will be videotaped from the point the video camera operator arrives at the scene. Videotaping shall continue uninterrupted until the incident is under control, the involved inmate is escorted to medical, and the inmate is subsequently returned to secure housing.

(d) Videotaping of post use of force medical exams shall be done in such a manner as to provide the privacy needed for the exam. If it is necessary to transport the inmate to an outside facility for treatment or to another department facility for secure housing purposes, videotaping shall continue until the inmate is loaded and secured in the transport vehicle.

(5) through (21) No change.

(22) The following forms are hereby incorporated by reference. Copies of these forms are available from the Forms Control Administrator, Office of Research, Planning and Support Services, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2500.

(a) through (e) No change.

(f) DC4-711A, Refusal of Health Care Services, effective _________ September 18, 2006.

(g) through (n) No change.

Specific Authority 944.09 FS. Law Implemented 20.315, 776.07, 944.09, 944.35 FS. History–New 4-8-81, Amended 10-10-83, 9-28-85, Formerly 33-3.066, Amended 3-26-86, 11-21-86, 4-21-93, 7-26-93, 11-2-94, 2-12-97, 11-8-98, Formerly 33-3.0066, Amended 10-6-99, 2-7-00, 7-25-02, 8-25-03, 2-25-04, 11-7-04, 4-17-05, 8-1-05, 3-2-06, 9-18-06,________.