TABLE OF CONTENTS
Description Page
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I. Introduction 2
II. Schedules and Programs Offered 2
III. Inmate Rights 3
IV. Prison Rape Elimination Act 3
V. Personal Property 3
VI. Rules and Regulations
1. Obey Orders 4
2. Photo ID 4
3. Inmate searches 4
4. Behavior 4
5. Inmate
Count 4
6. Dress Code 4
7. Issued Clothing 4
8. Laundry 4
9. Personal Hygiene 5
10. Telephone Use 5
11. Visitation 4
12. Housekeeping 5
13. Cell Inspections 5
14. Classification
15. Trustee Status 5
16. Discipline 5
17. Prohibited Acts and Penalties 6-7
18. Grievance Procedure 8
VII. Programs and Support Services 8-11
1. Religious Services 8
2. Medical Care 8
3. Notary Services 8
4. Education Program 9
5. Mail 9
6. Recreation 9
7. Telephone
8. Commissary Services 9
9. Marriages
10. Funerals 10
11. Food Service / Meals
12. Visitation Schedule/Rules 11
VII. Daily Programs Schedule Inside Back Cover
(Recreation, hygiene, laundry and Visitation)
You will be charged a $3.00 replacement fee for failing to return this handbook or if this handbook is intentionally damaged and deemed unusable for reissue.
· This handbook is provided to assist you while you are housed at the Hardee County Detention Facility. The handbook is a general guide to operations and programs, and explains Rules & Regulations concerning your behavior, Disciplinary Hearings and the range of penalties imposed.
· The guidelines contained in this handbook are based on existing Florida State Statutes and Florida Model Jail Standards. The Inmate Handbook is reviewed at least annually and necessary revisions made.
· If you have any questions, contact any Detention Deputy for clarification.
· These rules are subject to change, as needed, for the safe and smooth operation of this facility.
Any inmate that assaults a Detention Deputy within
this facility will be subject to the following:
Felony Criminal charges under F.S.S. 784.075, Battery on a Detention Member or Staff. This is a minimum third degree Felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison or could be up to a first degree Felony punishable by the death penalty, or a life sentence, depending on the severity of the crime.
Administrative charges; such as loss of all privileges and punitive segregation.
Classified, as a HIGH RISK to staff and this classification must follow you to State Prison, where the prison staff is notified of your classification.
Any inmate who assaults another inmate while detained in this facility will be subject to Felony Criminal charges under F.S.S. 784.082.
Any inmate,
found guilty of two (2) or more disciplinary proceedings, may be subject to
criminal prosecution.
You will see
the following words throughout this handbook.
The definitions are provided for your use.
Assault: An attempt or threat to do bodily harm to another
Battery: To touch or strike another against their will
Contraband: Any item not authorized by detention staff or any item that has been altered from its original state or intended us
Detention Deputy: An officer trained by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission pursuant to Chapter 943, Florida Statutes
· Commissary Order Sheets are delivered and picked up on Monday evenings, incomplete Commissary Order Sheets or those Commissary Sheets not turned on Monday evenings will not be accepted or processed.
·
Commissary Orders are delivered on Thursdays
·
Inmate Phone Card Requests will be collect and filled
on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s only.
· You are charged $3.25 per day subsistence fee to help defer costs of inmate meals. This $3.25 will be taken from your commissary balance. If you do not have funds in your commissary account to equal $ 3.25, you will not be charged the daily subsistence fee. When you receive a money order, 50% of that money will be used towards your debt balance. The remaining will be put into your commissary account and any fees that are assessed to your account while you have money in it will be deducted, to include the daily subsistence fee.
· Money must be in your account on the day orders are submitted to the vendor or orders will not be filled.
· The Hardee County Sheriff’s Office Detention Division, subcontracts the Inmate Commissary out to an independent Vendor. Commissary orders are usually sent to the vendor on Wednesday mornings. However, the vendor has the right to request these orders at any time after Monday evening when these orders have been collect from inmates, for any reason with out notice.
Educational Program
· In cooperation with South Florida Community College this facility provides adult educational services to obtain your GED. This program is offered Monday through Friday between the hours of 10:00AM & 2:00PM and it is to your benefit to take full advantage of it. Disruptive behavior in any program will not be tolerated and may prohibit you from continued participation.
· Only those inmates who have not graduated High School or received a General Education Diploma will be authorized to request to attend G.E.D. Classes.
·
Class Schedules are
subject to change and cancellation at anytime due to security issues. You will be notified when it is time for you
to attend class.
Church Services
· Religious services will be held for all inmates who desire to participate, the only exception will be for those considered to be a threat to security, staff, and others. The majority of religious services will be held in the recreation area, some instances may require it to be held in the multipurpose room, this will be at the discretion of Detention Administration. Religious services and programs will be coordinated as to not cause conflict with other scheduled facility activities. Inmates classified as High Risk, Close Management, Disciplinary Confinement, Administrative Confinement, or Juvenile will be afforded the opportunity for religious services at their respective cell fronts.
Inmate Library Service:
· Inmates must complete an inmate library book request form to receive inmate library books. Inmates are authorized to receive 2 library books per week from the inmate library. Inmate library requests are filled and delivered to the inmate’s cell on a weekly basis.
· The Hardee County Jail affirms its determination to protect and promote the safety and Constitutional Rights of inmates, and shall seek a balance between the expression of individual rights and the preservation of facility security and order.
· No inmate shall be discriminated against. Program access, work assignments and administrative decisions shall be made without regard to inmates' race, religion, national origin, sex, handicap or political views.
· Inmates shall not be subject to personal abuse or injury, corporal punishment, disease, property damage and/or harassment. Furthermore, inmates shall be expected to treat one another with mutual respect, mindful of others’ rights, without discrimination, violence or threat of violence.
· In addition, inmates have the following rights:
* The right of access to courts.
* Inmates acting as their own attorney in a criminal case, provided that their arraignment has taken place, shall have access to legal materials if there is no legal assistance to help them in their pending criminal matter or any which involves the terms and conditions of their confinement. They will have access to supplies and other services such as pencil and notary services related to these legal matters in accordance with jail policies.
* The right to communicate and correspond in order to maintain family and community ties.
* The right of protection from unreasonable searches (searches shall only be conducted to maintain security and order).
* The right to participate in religious practices that do not threaten or disrupt facility security and order.
* The right of access to a grievance procedure.
IV. PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT OF 2003.
· The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was passed by Congress on September 04,2003. The Hardee County Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility has established a zero tolerance philosophy and policy regarding inmate sexual batter / assault. Sexual violence investigations shall be actively pursued by the Sheriff’s Office and the agency’s response shall not vary on the basis of the characteristics, status or profession of the victim or the perpetrator. It is the policy of the Hardee county Sheriff’s Office to reduce the incidence and severity of sexual violence, protect victims of sexual violence and promote officer safety.
· The Hardee County Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility strictly prohibits the sexual abuse of inmates and sexual acts involving inmates, regardless of consensual status. All incidents of sexual assault / abuse shall be reported promptly and investigated thoroughly. Inmates under investigation for sexual acts will be placed in Administrative Confinement during the investigation, pending Disciplinary Charges and possibly outside charges.
· Sexual misconduct is defined as any behavior or act of a sexual nature direct towards an inmate by a member, volunteer, visitor, agency representative or other person while with in the Hardee County Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility. This includes acts or attempts to commit acts including, but not limited to:
· Sexual batter, sexual assault, sexual abuse, activities to provide sexual gratification of another, sexual harassment, sexual conduct, obscenity or an unreasonable invasion of privacy and also includes conversations or correspondence that suggests a romantic sexual relationship between an inmate and any volunteer, member, agency representative or employee of the Hardee County Sheriff’s Office.
· PREVENTION: Be aware of your surroundings. Do not accept gifts or favors, most gifts or favors from others come with strings attached. Do not accept offers for protection, that is what the Correctional Staff is here for. Be alert, using contraband narcotics can impair your judgment. Be direct and firm when saying no to unwanted activity. If you fear for your safety report it to staff immediately.
· REPORTING: Reporting Acts of Sexual misconduct can be done verbally or by using an Inmate Request Slip. You will be protected from the assailant and the incident will be referred to a detective to investigate. You may need a medical exam, do not clean up, it is important to be examined prior to washing, changing clothes or using he restroom. All reports concerning the identity of the victim of sexual battery and the facts of the report are only limited to those who have a need to know to make decisions concerning your welfare and for investigative purposes. “We want to know” no staff member will demean the situation through any type of humiliation or harassment.
· TREATMENT AND COUNSELING: Treatment will be provided by medical personnel with in or outside our facility. You will be referred to a Victim Advocate. In the event you need more assistance coping you will be revered to Mental Health Services.
· Upon admittance, all your personal property, including civilian clothing, was inventoried and stored until your release or transfer.
· Your money was also inventoried and placed in an account created for you. Your account was charged a $25.00 administrative fee for the booking process.
· The following personal items may be kept in General Population cells:
* Toiletry articles (issued/purchased) * Addresses & Telephone numbers
* Three (3) pairs of white socks * One (1) book of religious scriptures
* Three (3) white T-Shirts * Letters and legal items
* Three (3) underwear (briefs or boxers) * Small religious medallion (not bigger than 1”)
* Three white bras (no under-wire) * Dentures (adhesive purchase via commissary)
* Prescription eye glasses * Pencil/Paper (no mechanical pencils, pens, or markers)
* Prescription hearing aid * Wedding band
* Six (6) photographs (in good taste & no Polaroid’s)
· All of your personal items/property must fit within the closed property box. Anything extra will be considered contraband and disposed of as such.
· No personal item i.e., socks, t-shirts, underwear, will be excepted from family members via the control room. These items if needed may purchased from the commissary. One (1) religious bible will be accepted via the control room with approved written authorization from the Detention Administrator.
VI.
RULES & REGULATIONS
· All inmates shall obey facility Rules & Regulations, or shall be liable to Disciplinary Action.
· If serious problems develop, inmates shall not attempt to deal with the problem in any manner that might disrupt facility security and order. Inmates shall refer such problems to a Detention Deputy.
· General Rules and Expectations for inmate behavior include:
1. Obey Orders - Inmates shall promptly obey all lawful orders and directions given by any staff member.
2. Identification Photo Wristband ID - All inmates are issued identification photo wristband ID’s during the intake process. This wristband ID’s shall be worn at all times, with the picture and name visible at all times. Removal, altercation, or intentionally damaging the photo wristband will result in disciplinary action. Loss of your WRISTBAND Photo ID shall result in the deduction of $3.00 from your account as a replacement cosT. ALL PIECES OF DAMAGED/BROKEN ID’S MUST BE TURNED OVER TO STAFF.
3. Inmate Searches - Inmates shall cooperate with searches of their persons and property at all times.
4. Behavior - General “Horseplay” or conduct that disrupts the orderly running of the facility will not be tolerated.
5. Inmate Count - Any time a count is called, inmates shall return to their bunks and remain quiet until the count is complete. Failure to do so will result in Disciplinary Action.
6. Inmate Dress Code
(Out of Cell) -Full uniform (trousers, top and footwear) will be worn at all times when out of the cellblock for any reason. Inmates must wear at minimum trousers, footwear and a T-shirt while on the recreation. (INMATES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO GO WITH OUT A SHIRT WHILE ON THE RECREATION YARD).
(In Cell)
- Issued clothing must be worn in dayrooms at all times and especially during
feeding times. Inmates will wear either
their issued uniform pants or shorts and issued uniform shirt or their personal
T-shirt. Issued clothing must be worn
appropriately (pants at waist, not
pulled down below the waist and exposing undergarments).
7. Issued Clothing - Alterations are prohibited. Damaged or lost issued clothing will be charged to the inmate’s account at the replacement rate.
8. Laundry - All County issued clothing will be exchanged three (3) times each week. Linen will be exchanged one (1) time each week. Your personal garments will be laundered two (2) times each week at your own risk. Missing, damaged, or lost items will not be replaced.
9.
Personal Hygiene - You are required
to bathe at least three (3) times each week and encouraged to keep your hair
clean and neat. Hair clippers are
available for use in the recreation yard.
Bath soap will be reissued weekly, toothpaste on an exchange basis, and
your toothbrush may be exchanged “ONLY” on Sundays. Razors will be issued twice a week and shall be collected within
one (1) hour after issued.
10.
Telephone
and Use - Telephones in cellblocks are capable of local and long
distance collect calls no incoming calls can be received. All telephone calls may be recorded and/or
monitored. Telephone use begins shortly
after 7:00 AM and ends at 11:00 PM. Calls to the Public Defender (773-6758) are
toll free Monday through Friday during the hours of 10:00 - 11:00 AM and 3:00 -
4:00 PM and they are not recorded/monitored. (Harassing/threatening
phone calls will result in loss of phone privileges and possible disciplinary
action.) NO 3-WAY CALLS ARE ALLOWED.
Telephone rate issues, blocks of phones, and any billing issues for called parties, call 1-888-610-7079
11. Visitation - The purpose of visitation is to encourage family and friend contact as well as provide opportunities for associations beneficial to the inmate’s overall adjustment.
A.
All Inmate Visitors’ must complete a visitor
registration form, prior to visiting.
The Visitor must be on your registered visitation list to complete a
Visitor Registration Form. Visitor
Registration forms may be picked up from the Detention Facility Control room at
anytime by your visitor. Once an Inmate
Visitor has completed the form and turned it in to be an approved visitor, it
will take up to 2 working days for your visitor to be approved.
B.
Inmates
in general population are allowed two (2) hours of visitation per week. Only one (1) adult visitor per inmate shall
be allowed in the visitation area at a time, approved minors will be
accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, at all times.
C.
Any
disturbance or violation of detention rules may cause loss of visitation
privilege for you (see discipline/rule violations, para 15).
D.
No
children under the age of 14 will be allowed to visit.
E.
Attorneys
generally visit during normal business hours. Attorneys may visit at any time
except during inmate counts, mealtimes, and between the hours of 7:00 PM and
7:00 AM.
F.
Special
visits (family emergency i.e., death in family, grave illness) must be approved
through Administration.
G.
Visiting
dates and hours are addressed on the last page of this handbook.
H.
Visitation
list may only be changed once after 30 days of incarceration and subsequently
each 30-day period after that.
I.
Visitation
will not cumulate, if you have a visit that lasts 10 minutes or 1 hour, that is
your visitation for that day. So plan your visits accordingly.
J.
Any
person incarcerated longer than 30 days in the Hardee County Jail during the
past 12 months are not allowed to visit.
12. General Housekeeping- Each cell and immediate area shall remain neat and clean at all times. Each inmate shall be held responsible for his/her cell and immediate area.
1. No item may be attached or hung on cellblock walls or light fixtures to include pictures, calendars, newspapers, etc.
2. No beating on the cell windows or doors.
3. All board games, playing cards, etc. will be neatly stored away when not in use.
4. All inmates in a cellblock share responsibility for the proper disposal of all trash, wastepaper, etc.
5. No writing or drawing on walls is permitted.
6. Windows, doorways, vents and light fixtures shall remain unobstructed at all times.
7. No wearing of headgear, including hats, stockings or head-rags.
8. Personal items shall be neatly stored away in your property box or in your bed storage bin. Any personal items not kept in your storage areas will be confiscated during cell searches.
9. Dayroom, shower, and lavatory areas shall be kept neat and clean at all times.
10. Surplus newspapers and other reading material shall not be allowed to accumulate or used for anything else other than reading.
11. Sheets, blankets, towels, clothing, etc. shall not be used as drapes, rugs, hammocks, tenting, clothesline or in any other form that deviates from its normal use.
12. All food not consumed at meal times shall be passed out of the cell with the food trays. Only food items purchased through commissary shall remain in any cell.
13. Empty bunks shall remain empty, anything found on an empty bunk shall be confiscated and disposed of as “contraband”.
14. Mattresses, blankets, sheets or pillows are to be left on the bunks; inmates are assigned a bunk and are NOT allowed to sleep on the floor or in dayroom areas.
15. Dayroom tables shall be kept clean and free of clutter.
16. No inmate shall be permitted to keep in his/her possession money, checks, money orders or any form of legal tender. The Facility shall deposit all money into an inmate personal account. Commissary items may be purchased from this account. Only “mailed-in” money orders and money orders left in the lobby drop box shall be accepted for deposit into your inmate account, other than the money the inmate had at time of intake.
17. Defacing and/or destruction of county property shall result in disciplinary action and criminal charges and/or payment for damages.
18. No arm wrestling or general horseplay will be tolerated throughout the detention facility.
19. Cell phones will be turned off when the mop bucket is placed in your cell for cell cleaning. The floor is to be mopped, the shower scrubbed, cell cleaned of all trash, phones will be turned back on after the floor officer inspects the cell.
13. Cell Inspections - Jail Administrators or their designees shall inspect each individual cell at least once daily. Any cellblock is subject to search at any time by any employee of the Hardee County Sheriff’s Office.
14. CLASSIFICATION – All inmates are routinely evaluated in terms of their psychological, medical and criminal history. The Classification Section will review your current charges, prior history, medical and psychological needs. Facility housing assignments are made according to the classification level and available space. The Classification process continues throughout your confinement and allows you to have your custody level re-assessed. Also, your behavior and interaction with staff are monitored on a daily basis and play a part in your classification. The Classification section will evaluate and update your classification as charges are added or removed, sentencing, and discipline are also reasons for change in your Classification. Some of these changes are handled routinely and do not require a cell change. Your picture armband must remain around your wrist at all times. Mutilating, altering or exchanging armbands shall result in disciplinary charges.
15.
Trusty
Status - Classification selects and assigns trusties based on need,
medical screening, mental status, charges & bond, security & custody,
criminal history, detainers, and oral interview.
A.
Trusty status is a
privilege, not a right. Any
inmate’s trusty status may be revoked/terminated at any time; such
revocation/termination may be reviewed by classifications but may not be
appealed via “Inmate Grievance”. No state prison sentenced inmate shall be
allowed trusty status.
16. Discipline - Inmates shall live together in harmony, following all facility rules and comply with all lawful orders. Disciplinary action shall be taken for violations of rules and regulations. Your most important level of discipline is SELF-DISCIPLINE. Coping successfully with difficult situations and maintaining self-control are the two best ways of avoiding problems. Should problems arise, the Hardee County Jail has policies and procedures for maintaining security and order.
There are three categories of rule violations:
Category 1 - any rule violation of such magnitude that it is likely that disciplinary action would include loss of gain time and indefinite disciplinary segregation.
Category 2 - any rule violation that warrants loss of gain time and 14 days segregation.
Category 3 - any rule violation that warrants loss of gain time and 7 days segregation.
· All disciplinary reports shall be investigated as soon as possible.
· An inmate may be placed in administrative segregation prior to the disciplinary hearing, to maintain facility order and security.
· Disciplinary lockdown will include loss of telephone privileges, commissary, and commissary privileges, reading material (excluding religious and legal material), and visitation privileges.
· The inmate shall be informed of the alleged violations with which he/she is being charged at least 24 hours in advance of the disciplinary hearing, to permit the inmate to prepare a defense.
· The disciplinary hearing may be held within 24 hours of the inmate receiving notification of the alleged rules violation(s), if the inmate waives this right in writing.
· If there is a language or literacy barrier, or if an inmate is otherwise unable to properly represent himself/herself at the disciplinary hearing, or prepare a defense, a detention deputy shall be assigned to assist the inmate.
· The disciplinary hearing should be held no later than Seven (7) days after the alleged violation, excluding weekends and holidays.
· The accused inmate shall have the following rights:
· The accused inmate shall be present at the disciplinary hearing, unless he/she waives this right in writing, or is removed from the disciplinary hearing due to disruptive or unmanageable behavior, or during the testimony of any person whose testimony shall be given in confidence.
· The right to make a statement of defense, present evidence and request witnesses.
· The right to remain silent.
· The right to be informed of the decision of the disciplinary hearing officer.
· The right to appeal to the Detention Commander within 5 days.
· If an accused inmate is found guilty of a rule violation, penalties shall be imposed.
· Any inmate who has been found guilty of two (2) or more disciplinary proceedings may be subject to criminal prosecution under F.S.S. 951.23, “Obstruct Police” (violation of County Detention Rule) a second-degree misdemeanor.
· If an accused inmate is found NOT guilty, records pertaining to the charges may be expunged from the inmate’s file.
17. Prohibited Acts and Penalties
The following acts are considered
category 1 violations, punishable by loss of gain time and indefinite
disciplinary confinement:
· Killing
· Assaulting another person
· Fighting
· Extortion, blackmail, protection, demanding or receiving money or anything of value in return for protection against another, to avoid bodily harm, or under threat of informing.
· Engaging in sexual acts with another
· Escape
· Attempting or planning escape
· Setting a fire of any nature
· Destroying, altering, or damaging issued clothing, mattresses, bedding or property of another person
· Stealing (theft)
· Tampering with or blocking any locking device, damaging, tampering with or mutilating any locking device, fixture, or other property belonging to the facility.
· Possession or introduction of an explosive or ammunition
· Possession or introduction of a gun, firearm, weapon or sharpened unauthorized tool that could be used to bring harm or damage to any person or item.
· Possession, introduction or use of any narcotics, narcotic paraphernalia, drugs, or intoxicants not prescribed for the individual.
· Possession of tobacco
· Mutilating or altering clothing or any county property issued by the correctional facility.
· Rioting
· Encouraging others to riot
· Threatening an employee (any county employee) or visitor, or other person
· Lying or providing false statement to an officer or staff member.
· Counterfeiting, forging, or unauthorized reproduction of any document, article of identification, money, security, or official paper
· Being intoxicated
· Tattooing or self-mutilation
· Gambling
· Possessing any officer’s or staff clothing
· Causing or engaging in a disturbance in court or on the way to or from court or other place outside the detention facility