Chapter DOC 376

DOC 376.04 DOC 376.04 Voluntary confinement.

DOC 376.04(1) (1) A superintendent may place a youth in voluntary confinement if all of the following are true:

DOC 376.04(1)(a) (a) The youth requests the placement in writing.

DOC 376.04(1)(b) (b) The superintendent is satisfied that the placement is necessary for the safety and welfare of the youth.

DOC 376.04(2) (2) A youth shall remain in voluntary confinement for at least 72 hours from the time of placement unless the superintendent approves prior release.

DOC 376.04(3) (3) If a superintendent does not approve a youth’s release from voluntary confinement before 72 hours elapse, the youth shall be released after 72 hours, if one of the following occurs:

DOC 376.04(3)(a) (a) The youth requests release orally or in writing.

DOC 376.04(3)(b) (b) The superintendent is satisfied that the placement is no longer necessary.

DOC 376.04(4) (4) Youth in voluntary confinement shall be in close confinement. The minimum requirement of one-hour out-of-room time per day for close confinement may be suspended for a 24-hour period upon the recommendation of a physician or psychologist. The superintendent shall send a written report of the suspension to the administrator.

DOC 376.04(5) (5) Youth in voluntary confinement shall have all of the following privileges and property:

DOC 376.04(5)(a) (a) Privileges and property that are at least the equivalent of privileges and property permitted youth under s. DOC 374.10.

DOC 376.04(5)(b) (b) Additional privileges and property consistent with what is permitted in the unit in which the youth is voluntarily confined.

DOC 376.04(6) (6) The superintendent shall review placements in voluntary confinement at least every 7 days.

DOC 376.04 History History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.

DOC 376.05 DOC 376.05 Surveillance of youth activities.

DOC 376.05(1) (1) Electronic surveillance of youth activities may occur without youth awareness as approved by the superintendent. Only those individuals designated by the superintendent may become aware of the contents of surveillance.

DOC 376.05(2) (2) The superintendent shall create policies and procedures to protect privacy rights of youth.

DOC 376.05(3) (3) Surveillance may include staff observation, cameras, intercoms, microphones, telephone monitoring and recording devices or other electronic or surveillance devices.

DOC 376.05(4) (4) Surveillance shall be limited to legitimate security needs of the institution.

DOC 376.05(5) (5) Information obtained by surveillance may be used by the department or law enforcement for purposes that include, but are not limited to, administrative actions, discipline, program direction and criminal prosecutions.

DOC 376.05(6) (6) The institution shall notify all youth, staff and visitors of the potential for their activities to be monitored and recorded throughout the institution.

DOC 376.05(7) (7) Surveillance may not be used to interfere with or compromise privileged communications between attorney and client.

DOC 376.05 History History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.

DOC 376.06 DOC 376.06 Youth count. A superintendent shall establish and maintain a system for accurately accounting for the whereabouts of all youth under the superintendent’s supervision at all times. The system shall interfere as little as practical with school, work, program and recreational activities. The system shall be described in writing. All institution staff shall be familiar with the system.

DOC 376.06 History History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.

DOC 376.07 DOC 376.07 Use of physical force.

DOC 376.07(1) (1) Corporal punishment of youth is not permitted. This prohibition allows no exceptions.

DOC 376.07(2) (2) Only the minimum force that is reasonably necessary to achieve a proper objective may be used. Excessive force shall not be used.

DOC 376.07(3) (3) Staff may use non-deadly force against youth only if the user of force reasonably believes that it is immediately necessary to accomplish one of the following purposes:

DOC 376.07(3)(a) (a) To subdue a youth who poses an immediate threat of bodily harm or death to oneself or another.

DOC 376.07(3)(b) (b) To regain control of all or part of an institution during a disturbance as defined in s. DOC 376.20 or an emergency as defined in s. DOC 376.21.

DOC 376.07(3)(c) (c) To prevent the escape of a youth.

DOC 376.07(3)(d) (d) To control a disruptive or dangerous youth who threatens the security of an institution.

DOC 376.07(3)(e) (e) To apprehend a youth who has escaped from an institution.

DOC 376.07(3)(f) (f) To change the location of a youth who refuses to cooperate and the refusal threatens the security of the institution.

DOC 376.07(4) (4) Staff may use the minimum physical force reasonably necessary to apprehend or gain control of a youth. Minimum force shall be exercised in the following way, if reasonably possible:

DOC 376.07(4)(a) (a) Staff shall not attempt to physically handle a youth until sufficient staff are present for a show of physical force.

DOC 376.07(4)(b) (b) Staff shall ask a youth to voluntarily return or to voluntarily cease the threatening or disruptive behavior.

DOC 376.07(4)(c) (c) If a youth refuses to voluntarily comply, one or more staff may physically restrain the youth.

DOC 376.07(4)(d) (d) Staff shall restrain a youth as necessary for the protection of the youth or others.

DOC 376.07(5) (5) After the use of non-deadly force, the youth and staff who were involved shall be checked for injury, medical services provided as appropriate and a written report submitted to the superintendent regarding any medical services provided.

DOC 376.07(6) (6) If force is used, each staff member involved shall submit a separate written report regarding the apprehension to the superintendent.

DOC 376.07(7) (7) Staff may use deadly force only if staff reasonably believe that its use is immediately necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to oneself or another. If deadly force is used, each staff member involved shall submit a separate written report to the superintendent regarding the use of deadly force. The superintendent shall promptly report the use of deadly force to the administrator.

DOC 376.07(8) (8) Staff may not use deadly force to control a youth if its use creates a substantial danger of harm to an innocent third party, unless the danger created by not using deadly force is greater than the danger created by its use.

DOC 376.07(9) (9) Youth may not use force at any time.

DOC 376.07 History History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.

DOC 376.08 DOC 376.08 Use of incapacitating devices and chemical agents.

DOC 376.08(1) (1) Regulation.

DOC 376.08(1)(a) (a) Incapacitating devices or chemical agents may be used under the circumstances listed in s. DOC 376.07 (3).

DOC 376.08(1)(b) (b) In order to ensure that incapacitating devices and chemical agents are used appropriately, staff shall utilize the following use of force continuum, if feasible, before actually employing an incapacitating device or a chemical agent:

DOC 376.08(1)(b)1. 1. Make a video and sound recording of the events as authorized by the superintendent.

DOC 376.08(1)(b)2. 2. Communicate with the youth to calm the youth.

DOC 376.08(1)(b)3. 3. Wait a reasonable period of time, unless there is a risk of harm to the youth or another person, the situation would further escalate or waiting would threaten the security or safety of the institution.

DOC 376.08(1)(b)4. 4. Make a show of force to the youth.

DOC 376.08(1)(b)5. 5. Use the minimum non-deadly force that is reasonably necessary.

DOC 376.08(1)(c) (c) When s. DOC 376.07 (3) permits the use of force and staff know of a youth’s history of violent behavior in similar situations and reasonably believe that the youth is about to become violent, an incapacitating device or chemical agent may be used after the procedure in par. (b) has been followed, but before the youth makes a credible threat to use physical force.

DOC 376.08(1)(d) (d) Incapacitating devices or chemical agents may not be used by staff if any of the following apply:

DOC 376.08(1)(d)1. 1. It is clear that the incapacitating devices or chemical agents would have no physical effect on a youth.

DOC 376.08(1)(d)2. 2. It is medically contra-indicated for the youth or another person who would be affected.

DOC 376.08(2) (2) Selection. The incapacitating device or chemical agent most appropriate to the situation shall be used by staff, based on the manufacturer’s recommendations and the training provided to the staff using the incapacitating device or chemical agent.

DOC 376.08(3) (3) Application. Only trained staff under the immediate supervision of a supervisor may employ incapacitating devices or chemical agents. Each institution shall ensure that staff authorized to use incapacitating devices or chemical agents are properly trained in their use.

DOC 376.08(4) (4) Medical attention and clean-up.

DOC 376.08(4)(a) (a) As soon as possible after an incapacitating device or chemical agent has been used, staff shall apply corrective remedies as prescribed by the manufacturer to all youth and staff exposed to the incapacitating device or chemical agent and shall obtain medical assistance as needed for persons exposed. Staff shall provide individuals exposed to a chemical agent with an opportunity to shower and change clothes. If living quarters have been exposed to a chemical agent, staff shall require the area to be properly cleaned and bedding and mattresses to be changed and thoroughly cleaned before being reuse.

DOC 376.08(4)(b) (b) Staff shall promptly notify medical personnel of a youth’s exposure to a chemical agent. Medical personnel shall determine if medical assistance is required.

DOC 376.08(4)(c) (c) When area clean up is necessary, staff shall follow directions as prescribed by the manufacturer.

DOC 376.08(5) (5) Incident report.

DOC 376.08(5)(a) (a) As soon as possible after an incapacitating device or chemical agent has been used, all staff who were involved shall submit an incident report to the superintendent and the administrator. A monthly report of the use of incapacitating devices and chemical agents shall be submitted by each institution to the administrator.

DOC 376.08(5)(b) (b) Each incident report shall include all of the following:

DOC 376.08(5)(b)1. 1. The youth’s name, the date and time of the incident, names of staff present when the incapacitating device or chemical agent was used, reasons for using the incapacitating device or chemical agent and treatment given.

DOC 376.08(5)(b)2. 2. A description of the incident which caused the use of the incapacitating device or chemical agent.

DOC 376.08(5)(b)3. 3. The steps taken prior to the use of the incapacitating device or chemical agent and why those steps did not control the incident.

DOC 376.08(5)(b)4. 4. The type of incapacitating device or chemical agent used and method of application.

DOC 376.08(5)(b)5. 5. The youth’s response to the incapacitating device or chemical agent.

DOC 376.08(5)(b)6. 6. Any actions taken following the use of the incapacitating device or chemical agent.

DOC 376.08 History History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.

DOC 376.09 DOC 376.09 Mechanical restraints.

DOC 376.09(1) (1) Types of mechanical restraints. Mechanical restraints include, but are not limited to, handcuffs with restraining belt or chain, restraining chains, leg restraints and leather and plastic restraints.

DOC 376.09(2) (2) Use of mechanical restraints. Mechanical restraints may be used in any of the following situations if the superintendent determines that the use of mechanical restraints is necessary to protect staff, youth or the public or to maintain the security of the institution:

DOC 376.09(2)(a) (a) To transport a youth within or outside an institution.

DOC 376.09(2)(b) (b) For a youth who is in security status while the youth is outside the place of confinement or for a youth who is out of control.

DOC 376.09(2)(c) (c) To protect staff, youth or other persons from a youth who poses an immediate risk of physical injury to others unless restrained.

DOC 376.09(2)(d) (d) To protect a youth who poses an immediate threat of physical injury to self unless restrained.

DOC 376.09(3) (3) Approval for use of mechanical restraints. A youth may be placed in mechanical restraints only with the authorization of the superintendent.

DOC 376.09(4) (4) Prohibited use of mechanical restraints. Mechanical restraints may not be used in any of the following ways:

DOC 376.09(4)(a) (a) When the use of mechanical restraints is medically contra-indicted.

DOC 376.09(4)(b) (b) About the head or neck of a youth in a manner not prescribed by the manufacturer.

DOC 376.09(4)(c) (c) In a way that causes undue physical discomfort or inflicts physical pain to a youth.

DOC 376.09(4)(d) (d) As a method of punishment.

DOC 376.09(4)(e) (e) To secure a youth to a motor vehicle.