Decision Tree
Identify one charge that allows jailers to strip-search you upon booking.
Homicide
assaultive felonies
Sexual assault
Unlawful imprisonment
Felony Stalking
Drug Trafficking
Fugitive
Multiple pairs of socks
Cash money
Excessive food, clothing or paper
Ink pen with ink tube
Altered playing cards
What is the first step in a pat-down procedure?
Ask if they have anything that could hurt the jailer
What two things should be done with contraband that violates the law?
Store and label it as evidence
What did Amy Wilhite hide in her body cavity when she was taken to jail?
A gun
T/F: An inmate can be strip-searched if they refuse a pat-down search.
True
List two items used in a cell shakedown.
Protective Gloves
Flashlights
Metallic Probes
Trash bags
Magnets
Metal Ruler
Mirror attached to shaft
Piece of Wire
Facility Incident Form
Inventory forms, evidence tags, evidence bags
What must be present for a body cavity search to occur?
Probable Cause
Per law, only one type of jail employee can perform a body cavity search. Who is that?
A medical professional
Which Texas Penal Code covers Deadly Weaponsin a Penal Institution?
46.10
Create a situation where an inmate was allowed to leave the jail and had to be strip searched upon their return.
Work detail
Intermittent sentence (weekends only)
Why should jail cell searches be done at random times? Choose the BEST answer.
A. To prevent inmates from anticipating them
B. To reduce staff workload
C. To meet state requirements and quotas
D. To keep inmates on their best behavior
A. To prevent inmates from anticipating them
A jailer must have _______ _______ to strip search an inmate.
(Hint: it is a standard of proof)
Reasonable Suspicion
This case decided correction/detention officers may strip search anyone admitted to jail, regardless of crime.
Florence v. Board of Chosen Freeholders
Who must conduct a strip search?
A jailer of the same gender
Using the decision tree, which of the following is an example of a reasonable belief for a strip search?
A. The inmate appears nervous and is visibly sweating
B. The inmate asks for a lawyer
C. The inmate refuses to answer questions
D. The inmate was arrested for a violent or drug-related charge
D. The inmate was arrested for a violent or drug-related charge
This case decided prisoners have no right to privacy in their cells
Hudson v. Palmer
To keep jailers safe during pat-downs, inmates are told to place their hands on the wall and ______________.
Spread their legs wider than their shoulders
T/F: If a jailer smuggles drugs into a county jail, they can be prosecuted under federal law.
True. Federal charges can be applied when the offense involves specific, federally regulated drugs or leads to death or serious injury
What are the 3 main types of searches?
Strip Search
Body Cavity Search
Pat-down search
Gabriella was taken to Waller County Jail for her first criminal offense ever. She was respectful during booking and jailers had no reason to believe she had hidden contraband, so she was not strip searched. Her family is devastated she is in jail and has been visiting her frequently. Over the last week, jailers have received tips that contraband is being smuggled into Gabriella's housing unit. Since they do not know who could be bringing these items in, they decide to strip search everyone who has received visitors in the last week. Gabriella is searched and they do not find anything on her. However, she is mortified that this happened and tells her family. Her mom hires a lawyer to sue jail staff for conducting an illegal strip search. Using your knowledge from the decision tree, was the strip search legal or illegal? Why?
Legal. Gabriella had contact with the public which means the jailers were allowed to perform a strip search.
A jailer finds a sharpened toothbrush with a pointed end in an inmate’s shoe. Is this a criminal offense or a disciplinary issue? Why?
Criminal offense because it violated TX Penal Code 46.10 (deadly weapon in a penal institution)
What is the purpose of a pat-down search during booking?
A. To inspect body cavities for contraband
B. To identify an inmate’s gender so they may be assigned to the appropriate housing unit
C. To locate weapons or contraband on outer clothing
D. To check for gang tattoos so the inmate may be separated from rival members
C. To locate weapons or contraband on outer clothing
During a shakedown, officers find a small cell phone hidden inside a book cover. The inmate admits a visitor smuggled it in. This is a criminal issue. Which TX Penal Code does it violate?
38.11 Prohibited Substances and Items in Correctional Facility
What did Daniel Coach do that violated correctional ethics and law?
Smuggled drugs into jail and accepted money from inmates