Notice of Proposed Rule

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
33-602.210: Use of Force
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose and effect of the proposed rule is to address those situations when, on the same shift, an inmate resumes disruption after the camera operator has left the area. The rule provides for deference to the judgment of the supervisor as to whether return of the camera will be counterproductive to his efforts to regain control of the situation. The rule specifies that new initiation of video recording is required if shift change or other staff change occurs after the camera and operator left the area. The purpose and effect of the amendments to Form DC4-650B, Risk Assessment for the Use of Chemical Restraint Agents and Electronic Immobilization Devices, is to provide for the use of CIT intervention techniques prior to application of chemical agents for designated inmates at Florida State Prison and Union Correctional Institution.
SUMMARY: The rule provides for deference to the judgment of the supervisor as to whether return of the camera will be counterproductive to his efforts to regain control of the situation when, on the same shift, an inmate resumes disruption after the camera operator has left the area. The rule specifies that new initiation of video recording is required if shift change or other staff change occurs after the camera and operator left the area. The amendments to Form DC4-650B, Risk Assessment for the Use of Chemical Restraint Agents and Electronic Immobilization Devices, provide for the use of Crisis Intervention Team intervention techniques prior to application of chemical agents for designated inmates at Florida State Prison and Union Correctional Institution.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 944.09 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 776.07, 944.09, 944.35 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Perri King Dale, Office of the General Counsel, Department of Corrections, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2500

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

33-602.210 Use of Force.

(1) through (3) No change.

(4) Physical force shall be employed only as a last resort when it reasonably appears that other alternatives are not feasible to control the situation and will not be used solely in response to verbal abuse that does not rise to a level of a disturbance. When the use of force is justified, only that amount and type of force that reasonably appears necessary to accomplish the authorized objective shall be used.

(a) All authorized use of force incidents will be video recorded.

(b)1. The administration of chemical agents on an inmate creating a disturbance in his or her cell when the officer is attempting to resolve the situation without extracting the inmate from the cell will also be video recorded. The video recording will include: a specific introductory statement; the attempts to resolve the situation without the use of chemical agents; the final order by the supervisor; an advisement to the inmate that chemical agents will be administered if he or she continues the disruptive behavior; an additional advisement to the inmate that this warning will not be repeated prior to the application of chemical agents should he or she become disruptive again after the supervisor, camera and camera operator have left the area; and any response made by the inmate. The video recording will also include the actual application of chemical agents, the offer of a decontaminating shower and medical examination, and the inmate’s return to a secure, decontaminated cell. Should the inmate refuse the shower for decontamination purposes or refuse the medical examination, both the staff providing the opportunity in each case and the inmate’s responses will be recorded.

2. If, during the same shift, the inmate should cease the conduct creating the disturbance while the supervisor, camera and camera operator are present, but resume such conduct after the supervisor, camera and camera operator have left the area, videotaping of the actual application of the chemical agents is not required will not be videotaped. The department will defer to the judgment of the supervisor as to whether the reintroduction of the camera and operator at the scene of the disruptive conduct to videotape the actual application of the chemical agents will be counterproductive to his or her efforts to regain control of the situation. If the determination is made to return the camera and operator to the scene, the warning that chemical agents will be administered if he or she continues the disruptive behavior and application of the chemical agents will be recorded. If the determination is made not to videotape the actual application of the chemical agents, tThe original video recording will resume following the final exposure to chemical agents, include a statement referring to the originating incident, and continue from this point until the decontaminating shower and medical examination are offered and the inmate is returned to secure, decontaminated housing.

3. If a different supervisor takes command of the incident due to shift change or other circumstances in which there is a staff change, a new video recording will be initiated and the requirements in subparagraphs 1. and 2. above will be repeated.

(c) through (d) No change.

(5) through (21) No change.

(22) The following forms are hereby incorporated by reference. Copies of these forms are available from the Forms Control Administrator, Office of Research, Planning and Support Services, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2500.

(a) through (m) No change.

(n) DC4-650B, Risk Assessment for the Use of Chemical Restraint Agents and Electronic Immobilization Devices, effective ________ March 2, 2006.

Specific Authority 944.09 FS. Law Implemented 776.07, 944.09, 944.35 FS. History–New 4-8-81, Amended 10-10-83, 9-28-85, Formerly 33-3.066, Amended 3-26-86, 11-21-86, 4-21-93, 7-26-93, 11-2-94, 2-12-97, 11-8-98, Formerly 33-3.0066, Amended 10-6-99, 2-7-00, 7-25-02, 8-25-03, 2-25-04, 11-7-04, 4-17-05, 8-1-05, 3-2-06, 9-18-06, 10-4-07, 3-3-08,________.


NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: George Sapp, Assistant Secretary of Institutions
NAME OF SUPERVISOR OR PERSON WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Richard D. Davison, Deputy Secretary
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: March 11, 2008
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: March 28, 2008