Module: Jail Custody, Security, Control and

Discipline of Inmates Institutional Correction

Module: Jail Custody,

Security, Control and
Discipline of Inmates

Concept of Jail Security

Introduction: The overall concept of jail security operation encompasses
The content of this module is the Jail Custody, Security, Control both prevention and habilitation. These two efforts are
and Discipline of Inmates. As you read this material, you will be inseparable as neither can be accomplished without the
able to know the Concept of Jail Security. Likewise, you will other. Jail security Is necessary to safeguard the lives of people
know more about the significance of discipline inside the residing within the vicinity, those managing the jails; and
correction facilities, Major principles will also be part of this inmates whose lives are to be rehabilitated to become
module so that your ideas on Basic Guidelines in Dealing with constructive members of society.
Jail Breaks in progress. After the content discussion, you are
given exercises to work on. Towards the end of this module, Security and Control
you are tasked to give your own reflections. All these activities The following guidelines should be strictly observed in jail,
will deepen and strengthen your understanding about the security and control:
lesson presented. Do the task honestly coupled with high 1) Maintain strict control of firearms. Never permit any firearms
interest so that you can benefit the most of it. inside the jail except in some areas where firearms are
authorized
2) Maintain 24-hour supervision of inmates
3) Maintain a system of key control which shall include an
accurate listing of all keys and receipting them. Never permit
• Can Identify the any inmates to handle keys or to study them.
Significance Jail 4) Secure firearms and anti-riot equipment in the armory where
custody, security they shall be within easy reach of the jail guard and yet afford
Control and Discipline maximum security against access by inmates.
of Inmates 5) Supervise the proper use of tools and other potentially
dangerous articles such as bottles, acids, kitchen knives, etc.,
and keep them out of inmates' reach when not in use.
6) Conduct regular inmate's count at least (4) times within the
24-hour day period. Establish procedures which will ensure
beyond doubt, that every inmate is physically present or
• Can discuss the all security accounted for, at every count.
control and discipline of
inmates
7) Conduct frequent surprise searches of inmates and their
• Can discuss the basic guidelines quarters to detect contraband.
in Dealing with Jail Breaks in
Progress and plans for other
emergencies
 Module: Jail Custody, Security, Control and
Discipline of Inmates Institutional Correction

An immediate report shall be rendered to the warden and/or

• Operation Greyhound is the term used by the BJMP in Deputy Warden for any unaccounted inmates.
relation to this surprise searches. The BuCor on the other
hand using the term Operation Galugad but with the Security Procedures during Meal Service
same meaning of Operation Greyhound. Security must be considered in the serving of food
inside the cells quarters. A jail officer should not enter the
8) Conduct frequent inspections of security facilities to detect quarters of the inmates to distribute food unless another officer
tampering or defects. is available to handle the keys and control the entrance door.
9) Guard against escape, assault on jail personnel and When the feeding is to be accomplished with only one officer
inmates' disturbances. on duty, it is essential that food shall be served without
10) Develop plans dealing with emergencies like escapes, fire, unlocking the door if there is danger of being overpowered by
assaults and riots. Make plans known and understood by jail the inmates. If not, the door may be opened but he must be
personnel. on the alert always.
11) Never allow a jail guard to open the Inmates' quarters
alone. At least another guard should be present. Dining Room Security
12) Select carefully the inmates to be assigned as orderly or 1) As a general precaution, individual mess utensils of inmates
aide and maintaining rigid control over their activities. No shall be made of plastics.
Inmate should be allowed to assume any of the authority 2) When dining rooms are provided, the inmates should be
which belongs to the jail staff or shall any inmate be allowed to marched in column of two's along designated routes under
exercise authority, supervision and control over the inmate. the supervision of one or two jail personnel. Other officials may
be stationed along the route to direct the orderly movement
Inmates’ Count of inmates to and from the mess hall.
It is a part of institutional procedure that at specified times 3). There must be a roving supervisor to handle occasional
during each 24-hour period, all inmates are physically disturbances or settle
counted, for this type of count, the general procedure Complaints
are as follows; 4) After meals, all utensils used by the inmates should be
1) Each inmate is counted physically at specified times collected. This should be strictly supervised by jail personnel to
2) During the count, all movements of inmates shall cease until be sure that no utensils are brought Out of the dining room.
the count is completed. 5) Forks, spoon and other kitchen utensils should be checked
3) The Count must be accurate. A positive verification must be and accounted for after every meal.
made to ensure that the inmates are physically present.
Counting a man on the basis of seeing any part or his clothing, Mail Censorship
hair, shoes is not a good counting procedure To give the inmate a respite from the restrain of prison life, he
4) Report of each count of a group of inmates is submitted to should be encouraged to maintain wholesome contact with
the Warden and/or Deputy Warden; and friends and relatives through correspondence. A mere
5) If the total jail inmates' count does not tally with the total jail personal source of knowledge about happenings in the
population at any given time, another count shall be made. outside world will tone down the depressive mood that
 Module: Jail Custody, Security, Control and
Discipline of Inmates Institutional Correction

develops when someone is shut off from the outside world. 9 All letters passed by censors should bear the sensors stamp at
However, the privilege of sending and receiving mail extended the top of each page and on the envelope. The letters should
to inmates should De properly supervised and handle to be placed back in the same envelope and released;
obviate the possibility of smuggling contraband and using this 10) A listing of mail for inmates should be properly posted in a
as a means of illicit communication. conspicuous place this will also form part of the records of the
jail;
Procedures When Censoring Mails 11) If the inmate fails to claim his letter within 24 hours after it
1) Mail shall be secured until such time that the censors are has been posted, the mail should be delivered to him;
ready to examine them 12) Contents of the offender's mail should not be discussed
2) The inmate's mail shall be opened and searched only by with other jail personnel, except for official purposes; and
qualified, trained and authorized jail personnel; 13) All outgoing mails shall pass through the normal mail facility
3) Letter containing currency, checks or money should be of the jail subject to the usual censorship.
marked with the amount enclosed and deposited with the
Trust Officer/Property Custodian. The receiving officers should Fire Prevention Rules
list down the amount received on receipt from in duplicate. Fire does not only cause financial losses but also loss of Iives
The original receipt signed by the receiving officer should be and property. To prevent occurrences of fire in jails and
kept for the record and the duplicate copy should be given to minimize its effect if such occur, the following rules should be
the inmate for his information. allowed:
4) All greeting cards should be carefully examined and fillers of
any kind found het should be collected for laboratory 1. Inmates should be kept aware of the hazards caused
examination; by the careless handling of cigarettes, inflammable
5) Photographs clearly within the scope of the jail regulations materials, fuel, welding equipment, etc.
should be marked o the reversed side and placed in the 2. Fire extinguishers should be placed in close proximity to
envelope; all housing units and should be located in strategic
6) Any item or correspondence or enclosure that does not places in buildings and work areas.
conforming with the regulations or are detrimental to security, 3. Empty drums and cans should be filled with water and
order and discipline of the jail should be brought to the some wit sand and placed in strategic places for ready
attention of the jail warden. use;
7) In the censoring of mail, prison slang, unusual nicknames 4. Keys to all emergency exits, cells, brigades, and
and sentences with double meaning should be carefully storage tags, places of firefighting equipment should
studied and analyzed to determine their real meanings; be made available. Such keys should have tags,
8) All letters containing statements concerning the security or marked distinctly to avoid confusion during
reputation of the jail, like attempts of escape, emergencies;
smuggling/trafficking of contraband and statement that may 5. Portable floodlights should be available in the control
affect the rule and policies, etc., shall be forwarded to the Center for night fire; and
Office-in-Charge of mail censorship;
 Module: Jail Custody, Security, Control and
Discipline of Inmates Institutional Correction

6) Government equipment should be marked priority tags or 6) The fire crew shall immediately respond to the scene to put
symbols to determine which should be first for evacuation out the fire while the other jail personnel shall station
during an emergency. themselves according to priority and under proper guard;
7) If there is a necessity to evacuate government records,
Emergency Plans supplies and equipment they should be evacuated to a safe
Emergency plans for fire or conflagration, riots or violent place according to priority and under prop guard;
disturbance, jail breaks and other such occurrences should be 8) If it is necessary to evacuate the jail population, they should
formulated to suit the physical structure and other peculiar to be evacuated in an orderly manner, using the closed vans
the individual jail. Hence, herewith are suggested steps or and other vehicles, or by any other means, to pre-arranged
activities, which may be considered for warden’s planning. Fire buildings or detention centers for their safe and temporary
plan and like should become a part of the operational plans confinement under strict security.
which every jail is expected to maintain in the office files. It is 9) When the all-clear alarm is sounded, first aid shall be
important that each participant must know his particular role. administered to the injured, an institution-wide count of
inmates should be made and immediately followed by a
Plans in Case of Fire or Conflagration security check;
1) Fire crew, consisting of jail personnel and inmates chosen 10) If the inmates were evacuated and the jail is still intact,
according to the degree of the custody, intelligence, interest they should be returned to the institution and continue normal
and training should be formed and trained to man the jail activities; and
firefighting truck and then be made available at all times; 11) Through investigation relative thereto should thereafter be
2) The inmates who are selected should be separately housed conducted and report thereon be submitted to the Provincial
in close proximity to the fire truck and other equipment. They Jail Administrator and copy furnished the
should be issued special uniforms different from those of the Assistant Regional Director, the Chief, Jail Bureau, and the
ordinary inmates so that they may be checked and identified Stationed or Sub-station Commander.
easily when outside the main compound;
3) At the first sign of fire, the Control Center shall immediately Plans for Riots and Violent Disturbances
sound a pre-arranged alarm either by a siren, bell, or any No matter how efficient the jail administration is, there will
means available. At the same time, it shall notify the Fire always be occasional riots or disturbances that require
Department, Police Headquarters and other units that may immediate emergency action. While it is not possible to
help in putting out fire and/or evacuation of inmates; foresee the exact nature of the disturbance and when it may
4) The Desk Officer or the person in-charge of the keys to the occur, there should be pre-determined and well-defined plans
storage for firefighting equipment, emergency gates and of action to cope with such emergencies, like the following:
gates of different cells/brigades, should distribute the keys to
the responsible personnel concerned; 1) At the sound of the first pre-arranged alarm, all inmates must
5) All inmates in the affected area shall be required to help in be locked up inside their respective cells/quarters. Inmate's
putting out the fire, using water and sand in the drums and work crew should be brought immediately into designated
cans, the fire-fighting equipment, fire extinguishers and such areas by custodian for accounting and subsequently locked
other things available to put out the fire; after the inmates' count;
 Module: Jail Custody, Security, Control and
Discipline of Inmates Institutional Correction

2) If the disturbances occur during visiting period, all visitors 7) When everything is ready, the Officer-in-Command shall,
should be immediately ushered out of the visiting premises to with the use ne megaphone or microphone or any public
the most secured portion of the jail previously pre-determined address system, direct the inmate cease and desist, return to
for this purpose. They should not be permitted to get out of the their respective cells or face the consequences of the acts, the
premises until proper accounting of inmates shall have been known leader should be called by their names and asked to
made; stop the rioting or disturbance.
3) Simultaneously, all members of the security group out on 8) The second alarm shall be sounded when all efforts of the
post shall immediately report to the Desk Officer and shall Officer-in-Command had failed. By this time, all guards shall be
make themselves available for emergency deployment. All prepared for the assault. The first ground shall now enter the
critical posts shall be covered according to the PLAN to compound followed by the second group at a discreet
prevent escapes. Do not rush into the scene. The most senior distance the third group shall be in strategic position, ready to
officer present automatically take command of the force and fire when and if the guards are in danger.
make assessment of the situation; 9) The first group shall be tasked with quelling the riot and
4) The Control Center shall take into consideration the getting the leaders of the rioting group and, if meet with stiff
readiness of all communication lines emergency calls to the resistance, should withdraw on orders of their leaders;
outside. At the moment, the operator should not entertain 10) The second group shall not use riot control gases, except in
incoming calls except purely official calls; orders of the Officer- in-Command. Gas should be used and in
5) The Desk Officer or the Armorer should make an immediate such quantity to have the desired effects. When the area is
preparation for the issuance of the necessary anti-riot saturated with gas, the first group with gas masks shall attack
equipment and firearms; using their batons to force the rioters back into their cells and
6) On his judgment and proper assessment of the prevailing get the leader. Used of pressurized water from the fire truck
condition, the Officer in may be resorted to.
Command may cause the division of the available force into 11) On instruction of the Officer-in-Command, initial alarm shall
three (3) groups as follows: be relayed to the Superintendent, Station or Sub-Station
• 1st group to compose the initial anti-riot assault Commander and/or the nearest police station or unit giving
contingent whose main objectives is to disperse the assistance to quell such disturbance in the jail;
rioters and get their leaders and shall be armed with 12) When conditions become critical and the disturbance has
wicker shields, protective headgears, gas masks and reached full scale, the Officer-in-Command shall cause the
night sticks or, when these are available. sounding of the third alarm. At this instance, Control Center
• 2nd group to serve as back-up force to support the first shall notify all nearby police agencies for assistance and then
group and for this purpose shall be equipped with tear all other plans in connection with jail uprisings shall be
gas guns and gas grenades. executed. Nearby hospitals shall also be notified if the situation
• 3rd group to compose of guards trained on proper demands;
handling and use of firearms who shall be ready to fire 13) As the last resort to prevent mass jailbreak or serious assault
when the lives of the guards are in peril on orders of the upon members of the custodian forces, the selected
Officer-in-Command. marksman of the third group may be ordered to fire, by the
Officer-in-Charge, only after due warning shots. Here again,
 Module: Jail Custody, Security, Control and
Discipline of Inmates Institutional Correction

reasonable caution, to insure the safety of individuals, is 3) All jail personnel, custodial or non-custodial shall make
imperative. The order to fire should given only as a last resort, themselves available for emergency development with the
not necessarily to kill but only to aim at designated, not at exception of those previously assigned. The Desk Officer or the
innocent by-standers, fellow officer or some other employees; Armorer shall issue firearms to members of the custodial force
and who shall be immediately dispatched to strategic posts
according to the PLAN;
14) Finally, after any such incident, the following steps should 4) Personnel who have inmates under their supervision,
be undertaken: assigned to essential maintenance posts Such as powerhouse,
• Administer first aid to the injured; kitchen, hospital, fire station, etc., must remain on duty take
• Conduct inmates' count. their accounting at the time of the emergency alarm and
• Segregate ring leaders and agitators; report thereon submitted to the Control Center;
• Check security of the institution; 5) A simultaneous institution-wide count shall be made to
• Conduct a thorough investigation of the incident. determine the number of inmates who escaped and their
Prosecute those who have violated the laws, rule and identities established;
regulations; 6) As soon as the identities of the escapees have been
• Repair damages; established, their names and other personal circumstances
• Adopt effective measures to prevent repetition of shall be immediately flashed to all units of the province, district,
similar incidents; and station or sub-station, and all nearby station shall be notified;
• Submit reports to the Provincial Jail Administrator and 7) Radio and television stations and other news media shall be
copy furnished Central Office of the Jail Bureau, and notified and, if possible, furnished with the escapees
the Station and Sub-station Commander. photographs for possible publication and flashing over the
television screen;
PLANS FOR ESCAPES OR JAIL BREAKS 8) Recovery team shall be ordered to proceed to all known
Since escape basically occurs without warning, it is liars, hangouts, residences, and houses of immediate relatives
essential that the jail shall have developed plans or procedures and friends for the immediate recapture of the escapees;
that may be placed into effect quickly. Time is of the essence 9) In case of mass jail break all members of the custodial force
in blocking off the movement of escapees and effecting shall be immediately issued firearms and assigned to critical
recapture. posts to block the escape routes while the pursuing teams
should get out of the jail premises to recapture the escapees.
Basic Guidelines in Dealing with Jail Breaks in Progress The rest of the jail personnel and Custodial force who are off-
1. The Control Center shall immediately sound the alarm and duty shall contacted by cellular phone or through the fastest
the Warden or Desk means available to require them to report for duty
Officer shall be notified; immediately;
2) At the first sound of the alarm, all inmates shall be locked in 10) If an officer or any member is held hostage, reasonable
their respective cells while those in work detail should be caution should be taken to ensure his/her safety;
marched in on orderly manner to their cells;
 Module: Jail Custody, Security, Control and
Discipline of Inmates Institutional Correction

11) If the warden is held hostage, for all intents and purposes, e. Landslide e. Epidemics
he ceases to exercise authority and the next in command or f. Typhoon f. Food Poisoning
the most senior officer present shall take over g. Volcanic Eruption g. Rescue
12) If there are no hostages and the inmates are still inside the h. Others h. Bombing
jail compound and continue to defy orders given by the i. Power Failure
Warden or the Officer-in-Charge, procedures shall be j. Water shortage
activated immediately according to plan; k. Others
13) Maximum force shall be deployed for escapees found
holding on an area to pressure them to surrender and overt
their movements; and MOVEMENTS/TRANSFER OF PRISONERS/DETAINEES
Instances when Inmates may be brought out from Jail
14) An investigation shall be conducted to determine any 1. To appear as witness or as accused, before any Court of
flaws in the Security Plan for possible correction to be justice or prosecutor's office during preliminary investigation,
submitted to assistant Regional Director, copy furnished the arraignment or hearing of a criminal case;
Central Office of the Jail Bureau, The Station or Sub-station 2. To appear as witness with leave of court in any investigation
Commander. or formal inquiry being conducted by a government agency;
3. To view with leave of court the remains of a deceased
Plans for Other Emergencies relative within the second degree of affinity or consanguinity;
and
1) If facilities and personnel requirements are available, a jail 4. To undergo with leave of court medical examination or
shall have emergency plans In case of power failure and treatment in an outside hospital or clinic.
natural disasters, such as flood, earthquake and other
calamities. The plans cover the specific roles of jail personnel Transfer to the Another Institution
present, alarm system to be used, emergency power units to • An Inmate may be transferred to another institution
be utilized, kind of security to be provided and such other only upon specific order of the court having jurisdiction
measures as are necessary to ensure the safe and security of over him, except in cases of serious illness where
jail personnel and offenders. Likewise, the plans shall also hospitalization is necessary and the detainee
include detailed procedures for the evacuation of prisoners in immediately taken to the nearest hospital with the
cases of floods, earthquakes and other calamities, If such court subsequently notified.
evacuation is necessary. • In any emergency. or other compelling
2) Separate SOP's to this effect should be issued. situation/necessities, when the transfer to other jails of
Natural Calamities Man-Made Calamities/ inmates involved is necessary to ensure safety and
Disturbance security of the inmates and the personnel, the warden
a. Fire a. Riot can recommend to the Regional Director verbally or in
b. Flood b. Jailbreak writing, their immediate transfer to another jail within
c. Earthquake c. Noise barrage the region provided that, on the first hour of the
d. Tsunami d. Hostage-taking
 Module: Jail Custody, Security, Control and
Discipline of Inmates Institutional Correction

following working day, the court concerned must be e Grandparent Birth Certificates of the inmate and his parent
informed of the said transfer. who is the son or daughter of the deceased;
f. Grandchild Birth Certificate of the deceased and the
Viewing of the Remains of a Deceased Relative inmate's son or daughter who is the father or mother of the
For those inmates who wish to view the remains of a deceased
deceased relative, leave of court shall first be obtained.
However, the warden may request for reconsideration from the Rules to be followed during movement/transfer of inmates:
court to recall and disapprove said order under any of the a. The responsibility for the security of the inmate being
following grounds: moved/ transferred shall remain with the custodian until
1. The deceased relative is lying-in-state in a place beyond 30 received by another custodian. Whenever possible transfers
kilometer radius from the place of confinement of the inmate shall be made during the day. Any movement or transfer of
or, in any case, where the inmate cannot return to said place inmates shall be treated confidentially.
during daylight hours; b. Prior to the movement/transfer, all jail officers shall be given
2. The detainee has a record of escape; and detailed instructions. on their duties and responsibilities, to
3. The detainee is classified as high risk/high profile and the jail include specific instructions that the most direct route to
has inadequate resources to ensure his/her safety and security. destination must be followed.
c. An inmate being moved/ transferred shall be handcuffed.
Before leaving the jail for the authorized destination, When two or inmates are transported, each must be secured
the inmate shall turn over to the Warden such amount that to the other. In no case shall an inmate be handcuffed and
may be necessary to pay for his transportation and meal secured to any part of the vehicle during transit
expenses and those of the jail officers escorting him. d. Before any movement/transfer, all inmates shall be
inspected and searched fn. dangerous weapons or objects
which may be used for escape or self-destruction.
e. As a general rule, inmates under escort shall always be
• Documents necessary for the request of an inmate to under the watchful eye of the jail officer. The jail officer shall
view the remains of a relative: always be close enough to the inmate being escorted to be
1. Death Certificate of the deceased relative duly certified by able to respond effectively in case of emergency.
the attending physician or local Civil Registry
2. Burial permit; and Basic security precautions that shall be observed during the
3. The appropriate certificate as indicated after the name of transfer/movement of inmates:
each deceased relative: 1. Do not allow inmates to tinker with the handcuffs;
a. Spouse marriage contract 2. Always ascertain that the inmate does not have crippled,
b. Child- Birth Certificate of the deceased child and Marriage deformed or very small that will allow him/her to "slip" the
Certificate of the handcuffs off;
c. Brother or Sister Birth Certificates of the inmate and his 3. Regard all inmates being moved/transferred as extremely
deceased brother inmate; or sister; notorious, to avoid being careless
d. Father or Mother Birth Certificate of the inmate
 Module: Jail Custody, Security, Control and
Discipline of Inmates Institutional Correction

4. Adjust the cuffs properly for tightness to avoid the need of

adjustment while on route;
5. Do not allow an inmate to go a toilet or wash-room alone;
6. A jail officer shall always walk one step behind and never in
front of an inmate. The inmate shall always precede the jail
officer into an automobile;
7. A jail officer shall be extra careful not to sit, stand or walk
next to an inmate while carrying a gun, as it can be easily
grabbed from him;
8. Stopping along the highway while in transit is highly
discouraged, especially when moving/transporting inmates by
vehicle hired solely for the purpose; and
9 Personal vehicle of the inmates shall not be used for their
movement/transfer

• In case an inmate is moved/transferred from one jail to

another facility or correctional institution, his/her
carpeta must be forwarded to the jail where he/ she is
to be confined and duly received by the designated
Records Custodian.

Reference:
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Manual
 Module: Jail Custody, Security, Control and
Discipline of Inmates Institutional Correction

Essay:

1.Can discuss the all security control and discipline of inmates.

IDENTIFICATION
_________________1. How many hours will the jail management
should provide security supervision and control over inmates?
_________________2. How frequent the conduct of inmates
count in each day?
_________________3. This surprise operation is conducted by the
jail officers for the purpose of detecting contraband in the
possession or in the control of inmates.
_________________4. This is the process of scrutinizing in-coming
and out-going letters for or from inmates to prevent statement
contained or attached thereat that might prejudice the jail
security and discipline.
_________________5. During meal time, the utensils to be used
should be made of what material?
_________________6. To whom to report any item or
correspondence or enclosure of mail that does not conform to
the regulations or are detrimental to security, order and
discipline of the jail?
_________________7. If the warden is held hostage, for all intents 2. Discuss the significance of discipline inside of correction
and purposes, he ceases to exercise authority, who should be facilities. (In your words)
in command to lieu of him?
_________________8. Who should give approval for those
inmates who wish to view the remains of a deceased relative?
_________________9. Who should shoulder the expenses in case
the request of viewing the remains of inmate's relative had
been approve?
_________________10. How many hours the letter for the inmates
should deliver to him if he fails to claim his letter, after it has
been posted?
 Module: Jail Custody, Security, Control and
Discipline of Inmates Institutional Correction

1. Identify the Significance Jail custody, security Control and

Discipline of Inmates
Module: Jail Custody, Security, Control and
Discipline of Inmates Institutional Correction