33-602.223. Special Management Meal

(1) Definition. The special management meal is a specially prepared meal designed to be utilized as a management tool in order to maintain a clean, safe and healthful environment in confinement areas.

(2) Requirements for Utilization of Special Management Meal.

(a) The special management meal shall meet the recommended dietary allowances established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council.

(b) The special management meal shall meet the religious and medical needs of inmates on special religious and medical diets.

(c) The special management meal shall be served and prepared in a sanitary manner.

(d) The special management meal shall be served 3 times a day at the normal times for feeding inmates in confinement.

(e) Water and the nutrient drink which is served to the general population shall be the only beverages served with the special management meal unless the chief health officer prescribes a substitute beverage for medical reasons.

(f) The special management meal is authorized for use at all institutions. The Bureau of Food Services shall provide orientation in the preparation and service of the special management meal. The Director of Security and Institutional Support Services, based on documentation from the administrator of the food services section, shall certify to the Assistant Secretary of Institutions, the warden, and the contractor food service director the successful completion of special management meal preparation and service training. Certification is required before the institution is authorized to utilize the special management meal. The special management meal will then be authorized for use on a case-by-case basis at those institutions as provided in this rule.

(3) Inmates in any confinement status may be placed on the special management meal for creating a security problem by any of the following acts:

(a) The throwing or misuse of food, beverage, food utensils, food tray, or human waste products;

(b) Spitting at staff;

(c) The destruction of food trays or utensils;

(d) Any other acts that would place staff in jeopardy if a serving tray or utensils were provided.

(4) Placement on the Special Management Meal.

(a) When any employee observes inmate behavior that he believes meets the criteria for application of the special management meal, the employee shall prepare Form DC6-218, Special Management Meal Report, and forward the report to the chief of security for review. Form DC6-218, Special Management Meal Report, is hereby incorporated by reference. A copy of this form may be obtained from the Forms Control Administrator, Office of Research, Planning and Support Services, Department of Corrections, 501 South Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2500. The effective date of this form is August 1, 2000.

(b) If the chief of security determines that the behavior cannot be corrected through routine counseling or by established disciplinary procedures, a discussion shall take place at the inmate’s cell between the inmate, the officer in charge, and the reporting officer, if needed. The officer in charge shall complete the discussion section of the report. The Special Management Meal Report shall document the reasons for recommending the special management meal and shall include a summary of the inmate’s comments or objections. When an inmate has been recommended for placement on the special management meal, the chief health officer or his designee shall indicate on the Special Management Meal Report whether there is any medical reason that would prohibit placing the inmate on special management meal status. When there is a medical problem, the chief health officer or his designee shall determine whether the inmate can be placed on the special management meal or whether an alternative special meal can be prescribed. No inmate shall be placed on special management meal status without medical concurrence. The chief of security shall then forward the report to the warden for approval.

(c) The warden or duty warden shall approve or disapprove all recommendations for placement on the special management meal based on the criteria set forth in subsection (2) above.

(5) Canteen privileges authorized by Rules 33-602.220 and 33-601.800, F.A.C., for inmates in administrative confinement and close management status shall be suspended for the duration of the period that an inmate is on special management meal status.

(6) The chief of security and a designated clinical health care person shall visit each inmate on special management meal status on a daily basis, except in case of riot or other institutional emergency. The shift supervisor shall act as the chief of security’s designee and shall conduct the daily visit in the chief’s absence. The purpose of the daily visit is to follow the inmate’s progress while on the special management meal and to determine when the inmate should be removed from the special management meal status.

(7) An inmate may be removed from special management meal status at any time based on:

(a) The recommendation of the chief of security and the approval of the warden; or

(b) Medical reasons as determined by the chief health officer or his designee.

(8) An inmate may be placed on the special management meal for a maximum of 7 days before being returned to regular meals for a minimum of one day. If an inmate engages in any of the behavior described in subsection (2) above after being returned to regular meals, the inmate may be placed on special management meal status again by following the above procedures.

Rulemaking Authority 944.09 FS. Law Implemented 20.315, 944.09 FS. History–New 1-12-88, Amended 3-4-92, 5-27-97, 11-25-98, Formerly 33-3.0085, Amended 8-1-00, 1-2-02, 11-3-03, 2-18-04, 12-10-09, 6-30-13.