Commissioner's Directive

USE OF RESTRAINT EQUIPMENT FOR SECURITY PURPOSES

Policy Bulletin 237

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POLICY OBJECTIVE

1. To protect and ensure the safety of staff members, inmates and the public through the appropriate use of hard restraint equipment for the safety of persons and the security of the institution.

AUTHORITIES

2. Commissioner's Directive 566-6 - Security Escorts
Commissioner's Directive 567 - Management of Security Incidents
Commissioner's Directive 567-1 - Use of Force
Commissioner's Directive 844 - Use of Restraint Equipment for Health Purposes

DEFINITIONS

3. Restraint equipment: an approved device listed in the Security Equipment Manual, intended to temporarily restrict or limit free movement such as:

1. hard restraints: handcuffs, leg irons, body belts and lead chains as listed in the Security Equipment Manual; and
2. soft restraints: information about soft restraint equipment available for physical or mental health purposes is referenced in CD 844 - Use of Restraint Equipment for Health Purposes.

4. Threat Risk Assessment (TRA): an evaluation of known factors that could pose a danger to the safe management of an offender or to the safety of others in particular circumstances. The TRA reflects the principles and practices of the CSC Situation Management Model. It is normally done instantaneously but may, in some situations when time permits, consist of a more comprehensive review of all potentially relevant information. The policy requires that the assessment be documented in an Observation Report or some other formal record.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

5. The Institutional Head shall ensure that restraint equipment is available and in good working order and that applicable staff members receive training on the use and application of nationally approved restraint equipment.

6. The Institutional Head shall ensure through a Standing Order that processes are in place allowing staff easy access to the restraint equipment, and for the accounting and safe keeping of the restraint equipment.

7. The Institutional Head shall establish Standing Orders consistent with the Situation Management Model on the use of restraint equipment within and outside the institution.

8. When restraint equipment is used outside the institution, staff shall refer to CD 566-6 - Security Escorts.

USE OF RESTRAINT EQUIPMENT

9. Only restraint equipment approved in the Security Equipment Manual and issued by the institution shall be used.

10. Restraint equipment shall be available at all control posts. Handcuffs shall be carried by all Correctional Officers who have direct contact with inmates as a result of their post assignment in maximum, medium and multi-level institutions, with the exception of Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge. In all other cases, the Institutional Head may authorize the carrying of handcuffs by trained staff members if required by the situation.

11. Restraint equipment may be used in routine circumstances, which must be limited to what is reasonably required for safety or security purposes (for example an escort or transfer), where it is specified by an institutional Standing Order that such equipment may be applied.

12. The use of restraint equipment during routine circumstances as described in an institutional Standing Order or Commissioner's Directive does not constitute a reportable use of force unless the inmate is resisting or the action results in a higher level response or injury to the inmate.

13. In non-routine circumstances, the use of restraint equipment may be authorized by the Institutional Head or his/her delegate upon the completion of an Individual Threat Risk Assessment, to protect staff, inmates, volunteers, contractors, and the public when all other reasonable methods of control have been considered according to the Situation Management Model.

14. When restraint equipment is used on an inmate, it shall be checked by security staff on a regular basis to ensure that it is not too tight or that it has not been subject to tampering.

15. If an inmate wearing restraint equipment while being transported is out of direct observation of a Correctional Officer, the equipment shall be checked as soon as the inmate is again within direct observation.

16. Under no circumstances shall an inmate be suspended from a wall, the cell bars or any object, in a fashion that prevents him/her from supporting his/her own body weight. The individual must be able, at all times, to relieve the pressure on the body part to which the restraint equipment is applied.

PREGNANT INMATES

17. Restraints should only be used as a last resort with pregnant inmates. Wrist, ankle and waist restraints on pregnant women can increase the likelihood of falling and therefore increase the risk of injury to the fetus because the woman cannot use her hands to protect herself. If restraint equipment is used on a pregnant inmate, extreme caution must be exercised to ensure that both the woman and fetus are protected from injury (e.g. supported by staff on each side while walking).

18. Pregnant women are not to be restrained during labour and delivery.

19. When pregnant women are being transported, body belts, if required, must be applied in such a way so as to ensure that no pressure is exerted on the woman's stomach or torso.

DOCUMENTATION

20. Officer's Statement/Observation Report (CSC/SCC 0875) shall be completed when restraints have been used during a reportable use of force.

21. Use of Force Report (CSC/SCC 0754) shall be completed by each staff member who has, as defined in the Situation Management Model, used force.

Commissioner,

Original signed by:
Keith Coulter