Wisconsin Legislature: DOC 376.12(1)(b)

(h) An investigation into the background, mail and visitors list of the escaped youth.

(i) An accessible list of the names, addresses and phone numbers of off-duty staff members.

(j) The operation of essential posts.

(k) Securing tools and any implement that may be fashioned into a weapon.

(L) Victim notification, if requested under s. 938.51 (4), Stats.

(m) The preservation of any evidence relevant to the escape and the chain of evidence.

(n) The repair of any facilities damaged in the escape.

(o) The responsibility of staff after an escape.

(p) Notification of the administrator and law enforcement agencies of the apprehension of an escapee.

(2) Reports. Reports of escapes required under sub. (1) (a) shall include:

(a) Date, time and location when the youth was last seen.

(b) The method of escape.

(d) A description of the escapee, including clothing worn.

(e) Action taken by the institution, including procedures initiated.

(f) A brief evaluation of the factors which may have contributed to the escape.

(g) The identification of persons who may have information about the escape.

(3) Hostages. When a youth takes the superintendent or any staff hostage, the hostage shall have no authority to order any action or inaction by staff.

(4) Pursuit. Any pursuit of an escaped youth by staff shall be done in cooperation with local law enforcement authorities. Until local law enforcement authorities are able to supervise pursuit, staff shall conduct the pursuit under supervision of the superintendent.

(5) Off-duty staff. In the event of an escape, the superintendent may order any off-duty staff to work.

(6) Vehicles. The superintendent may authorize staff to use their own vehicles to pursue an escaped youth if state-owned vehicles are unavailable.

(7) Criminal convictions. A youth who is in an institution because of an adult criminal court conviction who escapes from an institution shall be treated as an adult in regard to confidentiality of information.

(8) Public information release. After 12 hours, the department may release information to the public if permitted under s. 938.78 (3), Stats., for youth adjudicated for certain criminal offenses. The information may include the youth’s name, age, physical description, including clothing, the date and time of the escape and the institution where the escape occurred.

History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00; correction in (1) (L) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, June, 2000, No. 534.

DOC 376.11 Search of institution grounds. Staff may conduct a search of any area within the buildings or grounds of an institution at any time. There is no requirement that evidence exists that contraband is concealed on institution grounds before such a search is conducted. Upon completion of the search, staff shall complete an institution incident report describing the search including any discovery of contraband.

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

DOC 376.12 Search of youth living quarters.

(1) Whenever staff conduct a search of a youth’s living quarters, staff in charge of the living unit at the time of the search or the staff who conducted the search shall write a report that includes all of the following:

(a) The identity of the staff who conducted the search and the supervisor who approved it.

(b) The date and time of the search.

(d) The reason for conducting the search. If the search was a random search, the report shall state that it was a random search.

(e) Any objects that were seized pursuant to the search.

(f) Whether any damage was done to the premises during the search.

(2) If property was seized or damaged pursuant to the search of a youth’s living quarters, staff shall inform the youth in writing. The institution shall pay for the cost of repair of personal property that is not contraband. In the alternative, and at the discretion of the superintendent, damaged personal property that is not contraband shall be replaced or the youth shall receive the fair market value of the property at the time it was damaged.

(3) In conducting searches, staff shall disturb the effects of youth as little as possible, consistent with thoroughness.

(4) Staff shall not read materials that they know are legal materials.

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

DOC 376.13 Search of youth.

(1) Searches of youth may be conducted as follows:

(a) Personal search. Staff may conduct a personal search of a youth under any of the following circumstances:

1. If staff have reasonable grounds to believe that the youth possesses contraband.

2. At the direction of the shift supervisor, either orally or in written job instructions or post orders.

3. Before a youth enters or leaves the security enclosure of an institution.

4. Before a youth enters or leaves the security unit or changes status within the security unit of an institution.

5. Before and after a youth has been with a visitor.

6. As part of a lockdown or a search of a housing unit or institution under s. DOC 376.11 or 376.12.

7. When a youth is apprehended after an escape or an attempted escape.

(b) Strip search. A strip search may only be conducted in a clean place and a place that is as private as is reasonably possible. Except in emergencies, a person of the same sex as the youth being searched shall conduct the strip search. A strip search of a youth may be conducted under any of the following circumstances:

1. Before a youth leaves or enters the security enclosure of an institution.

2. Before a youth leaves or enters the segregation unit of an institution.

3. Before or after a youth has been with a visitor.

4. When a youth is apprehended after an escape, an attempted escape or an attempt to hide from staff.

5. At the direction of the superintendent who may delegate to a supervisor.

6. When a youth changes status within the confines of a segregation building.

(c) Body cavity search. A body cavity search may only be conducted if the superintendent approves, upon probable cause to believe that contraband is hidden in a body cavity. Medical or nursing staff shall conduct body cavity searches. The superintendent shall promptly notify the administrator of all body cavity searches.

(d) Body contents search. A body contents search may only be conducted by persons who are appropriately licensed or certified by law to take blood samples and x-rays and perform other appropriate procedures requiring a license or certification. Staff of the same sex as the youth being searched shall collect urine specimens. Trained staff may conduct breath specimen tests. Staff may direct that a body contents search be conducted under any of the following conditions with the approval of the superintendent:

1. If one or more staff, from direct observation or reliable sources, have reasonable grounds to believe that a youth has used, possesses or is under the influence of intoxicating substances, as defined in s. DOC 373.46 (1) or possesses other contraband that may be detected by a body contents search.

2. Upon intake in the assessment and evaluation process.

3. After a youth returns to the institution from any absence from the institution.

4. After a youth has been with a visitor.

5. As part of a random testing program in which staff do not select youth by name or for a specific reason.

6. Pursuant to a court order requiring the youth to submit to drug testing.

(2) Results of searches and any contraband, test results or other evidence obtained under sub. (1) may be used as evidence at a disciplinary hearing conducted pursuant to s. DOC 373.73.

(3) Contraband shall be disposed of in accordance with s. DOC 376.17.

(4) A written report or written log entry of all searches under sub. (1) shall be filed with the superintendent The report shall state all of the following:

(a) The identity of the staff member who conducted the search and the shift supervisor who approved it.

(b) The date and time of the search.

(d) The reason for the search. If the search was a random search the report shall state that it was random.

(e) Any objects seized pursuant to the search.

(f) The identity of all staff present when the search was conducted.

(5) Staff shall preserve the dignity of youth to the extent reasonably possible in all searches conducted under this section.

(6) Before a search is conducted pursuant to this section, a youth shall be informed that a search is about to occur, the nature of the search and the location where the search is to occur.

(7) In deciding whether there are reasonable grounds to believe a youth possesses contraband or whether there is probable cause that contraband is hidden in a body cavity, staff shall consider:

(a) Observations of staff.

(b) Information provided by a reliable informant.

(d) Prior seizures or detection of contraband from the youth or living quarters of the youth.

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

DOC 376.14 Search of visitors.

(1) Before a visitor is permitted in an institution, staff responsible for the admission of visitors shall be satisfied that the visitor is not carrying an unauthorized object into the institution.

(2) Each institution shall have information readily available to visitors informing them of the objects they may carry into the institution. Each institution shall have a place for the safekeeping of objects that may not be carried into the institution and shall permit visitors to store objects in these places.

(3) Before admitting a visitor, staff responsible for admission of visitors may request visitors to empty pockets and containers, permit the inspection of containers or submit themselves and objects they carry into the institution to inspection by a device designed to detect metal or unauthorized objects.

(4)

(a) Before admitting a visitor, staff responsible for admission of visitors may request a visitor to submit to a personal search, which the superintendent and the administrator must authorize, if there are reasonable grounds to believe the visitor is concealing an unauthorized object.

(b) If following a personal search, staff has reasonable grounds to believe a strip search is necessary, staff shall request the sheriff or local law enforcement to conduct the search. If the sheriff or local law enforcement cannot or will not conduct the strip search, staff shall ask the visitor to leave.

(5) Before an inspection or search is conducted pursuant to sub. (3) or (4), the visitor shall be informed orally and in writing, either by a sign posted in a prominent place or on a notice, that the visitor need not permit the inspection or search and that if the visitor does not give permission, the visitor shall not be admitted to the institution.

(6) If staff find an unauthorized object under sub. (3) or (4), the visitor may be denied entry to the institution and visiting privileges may be suspended.