Chapter 5 – Adult Custody and Security Operations

Pursuant to the Penal Code, The Director has established a system for uniform tool control and prevention of unauthorized or improper use of tools.

To provide control and accountability for those tools and equipment items that pose a threat to persons or to the physical security of the institution.

Supervisors and managers shall monitor the control and inventory of tools in their respective department/area/unit.

All staff supervising inmates shall instruct inmates in the control and the proper usage of the tools.

All tools, instruments, implements, utensils, appliances, or devices used in performing work shall be classified into various tool groups.

Critical tools include all tools that are extremely hazardous when uncontrolled, i.e., hacksaws and blades, cutting torches, large pipe wrenches, all types of knives, bolt cutters, axes, or any additional tools which work supervisors and instructors or the captain feel are dangerous to institution security or inmates’ well being. Tools in this category shall be coded and marked to conform with DOMDepartment Operations Manual 52040.5.

Escape Priority Tools

• Inmates using escape priority tools shall require direct staff supervision while working within a secure perimeter. Inmates assigned to minimum security work crews, off reservation work details (ORWD), camp programs, or parole work furlough programs, do not necessarily require direct and constant supervision during the performance of their work assignments. Examples of escape tools include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Bolt Cutters.

  • Oxy-acetylene equipment.

  • Hacksaws.

  • Ropes.

  • Ladders (over six feet in height).

  • Portable scaffolds.

  • Pipecutters.

  • Files.

  • Block and tackles.

  • Pneumatic jackhammers.

  • Metal cutting equipment.

  • Security screwdrivers.

  • Security wrenches.

  • Security torx bits and hex bits.

  • Sheet metal shears.

Dangerous Tools

• Dangerous tools may be utilized without direct staff supervision. Some examples of dangerous tools include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Knives.

  • Hatchets.

  • Axes.

  • Chisels.

  • Hammers.

  • Screwdrivers.

  • Punches.

  • Scribes.

  • All sharp pointed tools.

  • Scrapers.

  • Loppers.

  • Diagonal pliers.

  • Electrician’s pliers.

  • Side cutters.

Tools not included in DOMDepartment Operations Manual 52040.4.1 are not normally classified as critical tools; however, the work supervisor may request a critical tool classification through the work supervisor’s supervisor and captain. Examples of non-critical tools include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lawn mower.

• Lawn rakes.

• Small open and closed wrenches.

• Long-handled gardening tools.

• Electrical testing equipment.

Electrical, pneumatic and bench grinders shall have locking devices installed covering the grinding wheel as well as the switch or control, so that they cannot be operated except under direct supervision of staff. Grinders shall be locked when not in use. The work supervisor may request their supervisor, captain or higher authority to designate other power equipment to operate as stated.

Other Power Tools

• Other power tools may be used without direct supervision. Examples are:

  • Barber equipment.

  • Drills, electric 1/4 ” and 3/8″.

  • Router.

  • Vibrator sander.

  • Belt sander.

  • Skill-saw (wood cutting blade only).

  • Roto-hammer, with fastener attachment for red-head anchor.

  • Electric power snake (plumbing).

  • Airless paint sprayer.

  • Pipe cutters, 2 1/2″ max.

Tools for use by inmate electricians, plumbers, and other inmate tradesmen which may be needed at night or at other times when shops are closed shall be kept locked in boxes in locations designated by the Chief of Plant Operations and approved by the captain of the facility involved.

Hobby shop hand tools owned by inmates shall be marked with the inmate’s name and number before being issued to inmates for hobby shop use. State-owned tools shall be controlled by the above-stated procedure. The hobby shop supervisor shall not issue tools defined as “critical” for in-cell use. Replacement stock shall be obtained from outside vendors.

Note: Each facility administrator/captain, with the hobby shop supervisor, shall approve/disapprove hobby tools based on risk or threat to the security of the institution.

Each institution shall design a tool identification system, inscription/scribe code, to identify tools from various parts of an institution and to identify tools assigned to particular areas of responsibility. The identification of tools shall assist staff in returning lost or stolen tools to their proper area and identify inmate(s) in the event tools are used to effect an escape or used in a felony crime.

Each institutional shop, work area, or building, where tools are used and stored, shall have methods of issuance, storage and key control (refer to DOMDepartment Operations Manual 55020), for accountability of tools. Some examples are, but not limited to:

• Shadow board display.

• Tool box.

• Tool pouch.

• Tool locker.

Note: Each storage area shall include an inventory card for any custody staff to determine an immediate and accurate count of the tools.

All tools issued to inmates shall be with key tags (chits). Inmate key tags are to be of a design/format which is easily recognizable and distinct from staff key tags.

Inmates shall not loan tools to other inmates nor allow other inmates to turn in tools issued to them.

• Each inmate shall be assigned a number and a certain amount of tags. A roster shall be maintained of this assignment of tags.

• At the beginning of each work shift, each shop supervisor shall issue a shower curtain type hook with tags, to the assigned inmate. The supervisor shall count the tags prior to the issuance at the beginning of the shift and at the end of the shift. The inmate’s tags shall be kept secure when not issued to the assigned inmate by the work supervisor.

• Each inmate shall maintain control for their tags. When an inmate wants a tool, they shall turn in a tag for a tool and when the inmate returns the tool, they shall receive their tag immediately.

• Tools shall be issued only to inmates assigned to that work area. If another shop needs a tool, the tool transfer from shop to shop shall be made by the shop supervisors.

• If the tool room inventory clears and an inmate has lost a tag, the inventory log shall be annotated with the date, time, and location where the tag was lost. If the tool room inventory does not clear at the end of the work period, the inmate(s) who have checked out the tool(s) shall be documented with a CDC 115. This shall not change the lost-tool procedure.

Inventory listings of all tools shall be kept and these inventories shall be checked prior to the beginning and ending of each work or class period. These checks shall also be conducted before all breaks, including lunch. The supervisor shall sign the Tool Inventory Check List.

• The supervisor shall maintain a master tool inventory which shall be secured and not available to inmates. The master tool inventory shall be used for daily and quarterly inventories.

Quarterly

• A quarterly tool inventory shall be submitted by area inventory supervisors for all tools in their assigned areas to their respective department head. The inventory shall be completed and forwarded by the tenth of January, April, July, and October of each year.

Note: Under no circumstances shall an inmate be allowed to inventory tools. All inventories shall be forwarded by the area supervisor to their supervisor, their respective department head and the chief custodial officer.

The loss of any tool(s) shall be immediately reported by telephone to the captain of the facility and the department heads concerned, prior to releasing inmates back to their respective quarters. The inmates shall be given an unclothed body search and the work area shall be searched. A “Loss of Tool Report” shall be prepared immediately by the staff person discovering the missing tool.

Any area within an institution where tools are stored shall be subject to unscheduled inspections/searches by custody personnel, as directed by the captain. This shall ensure that the area is secure and that compliance to this procedure is maintained.

• When violations of this procedure are determined by inspecting custodial personnel, a written report describing the specific area and violation shall be addressed to the captain and the division head.

• Any tool found improperly marked or not secured shall be confiscated and turned over to the captain. A memorandum directed to the captain and respective division head shall be prepared stating where, when and by whom the tool was found.

Damaged, broken, worn or obsolete tools shall be secured and controlled, just as other tools. Tools in this category shall be picked up, measured and inspected to ensure all parts are accounted for.

• Each institution head shall designate a person(s) (i.e., security squad, outside lieutenant, tool control officer) to dispose of the unusable tools at an off-institutional location.

• Each department head shall enforce the provisions of this procedure.

Replacement of damaged, broken, worn out, or lost tools, or issuance of additional tools from the secure warehouse storage area shall have prior written approval.

Note: For CALPIACalifornia Prison Industry Authority (formerly PIA) tool replacement, see DOMDepartment Operations Manual 52040.13.3.

• A tool request shall be directed to the requesting employee’s immediate supervisor documenting the need for issuance of the required tool.

• The request shall be approved/disapproved by the employee’s department head, then forwarded to the procurement officer and a copy to the captain.

• Tools shall be issued by the procurement officer or designated employee in accordance with this procedure. The procurement officer shall:

  • Remove the tools from the secure storage inventory located in the warehouse.

  • Ensure the inventory of requesting area is updated to include the tool that is needed.

  • Issue the tool after ensuring the tool has been marked for identification. (See DOMDepartment Operations Manual 52040.5.)

Tool and tool-related material received at the warehouse from vendors shall be checked against a purchase order or subpurchase order. Issuance of tools shall be made utilizing an approved form, “Request for Tool(s).” Tools shall be issued only to staff.

• All tools shall be properly receipted out of the storage area (warehouse). All tools shall be properly marked and color coded for area identification.

• An inventory card shall be maintained on each tool stored in the warehouse.

• Receipts and issues shall be posted to the inventory each time a tool enters or leaves the warehouse.

• A list of tools specifying description and quantity shall be kept on all tools in the warehouse.

Hand tools used by inmates assigned to a warehouse shall be issued to inmate(s) adhering to DOMDepartment Operations Manual 52040.7. All tools shall be kept in secured tool boxes with a tool list posted inside the tool box.

Restricted housing units shall maintain an inventory log with all serving ladles, forks and spoons for the unit included in the log. When not in use, utensils shall be locked in the designated security lock box within the unit. Utensils shall be signed in and out for meals by the officer on duty. If a proper sink for cleaning the utensils is not available in the unit, the utensils shall be released to the culinary for washing after they have been accounted for by the unit officer. The utensils shall be signed in and out on the inventory log for the unit by the officer on duty. This is to be accomplished prior to the departure of any food carts from those areas.

Each plant operations maintenance shop shall maintain only those tools required for daily use and equipment maintenance. Each plant operations maintenance shop shall maintain a storage area (DOMDepartment Operations Manual 52040.6) for the control of tools and for a quick visual check of their assigned tools to ascertain if any are missing. Example of the shops are, but not limited to:

• Outground crews.

• Carpenter shop.

• Paint shop.

• Electric shop.

• Plumbing shop.

• Boiler room.

• Refrigeration shop.

• Water/sewage plant.

• Maintenance warehouse.

• Service station.

• Kitchen maintenance.

• Lock and key shop.

Each CALPIACalifornia Prison Industry Authority (formerly PIA) lead institution production manager shall maintain a controlled tool room which shall supply tools for the subdivisions and maintain control and inventory of the tool room. Each individual industry shop supervisor shall maintain a tool storage area for the tools assigned to the shop. The CALPIACalifornia Prison Industry Authority (formerly PIA) lead institution production manager shall designate, control, and inventory tools in their shop. Examples of shops are, but are not limited to:

• Knitting mill.

• Laundry.

• Shoe factory.

• Printing shop.

• Textile factory.

• Metal fabrication.

• Dairy.

• Field crops.

• Furniture factory.

• Sewing machine repair.

• Mattress factory.

Issuance of Additional Tools

• Replacement of damaged, broken, worn out, obsolete, or lost tools, or issuance of additional tools from the secure industry storage area shall be performed by the lead institution production manager or designated employee in accordance with this procedure.

  • A tool request shall be directed by the employee to the immediate supervisor documenting the need for required tool.

  • The request shall be approved/disapproved by the lead institution production manager before any tool is ordered from vendor.

  • Upon arrival of all controlled tools at the CALPIACalifornia Prison Industry Authority (formerly PIA) warehouse, the warehouse manager or designee shall:

    • Notify the sergeant assigned to industry and the designated tool control representative.

    • Check controlled tools and tool related material against purchase order or subpurchase order to assure inventory received.

    • All received controlled tools shall be locked in a secure storage area under the direct supervisor of the warehouse manager or designated employee.

  • Ensure the inventory of requesting area is updated to include the needed tool on inventory card which specifies tool description and quantity.

  • Before issue, tools shall be scribed and color coded to the ordering unit by the designated tool control representative. (See DOMDepartment Operations Manual 52040.5.)

The education division (academic and vocational) shall maintain inventories and control of all tools in the individual classes/shops. Tool rooms are located in each vocational shop area and a central tool room for the academic area. Each shop/class shall maintain only those tools needed for every day use and equipment maintenance. Shop supervisors and class instructors shall control and inventory tools in their shop or class area. Examples are, but are not limited to:

• Academic classrooms.

• Air conditioning.

• Auto mechanics.

• Culinary arts/meat cutting/baking.

• Drafting.

• Landscaping.

• Library.

• Machine shop.

• Masonry.

• Print shop.

• Radio/TV repair.

• Shoe repair.

• Arts in Correction.

All tools used in the preparation and serving of food in the culinary area shall only be used under direct supervision of culinary staff. When not in use, tools shall be kept in a security locked box. In addition to inventory checks covered in DOMDepartment Operations Manual 52040.8, an inventory check shall be made prior to starting and after closing culinary operations by staff designated by the Warden or RPARegional Parole Administrator and noted on the inventory log. The time of the inventory check shall be noted on the watch commander’s report (Daily Report of Watch Activities). Any discrepancies shall be noted. Examples of tools are, but not limited to:

• Knives.

• Ladles.

• Long-handled spoons (over six inch handles).

• Long-handled forks (over six inch handles).

• Rotating discs from potato peeling machine.

• Band saw blades.

Note: When a band saw blade breaks or becomes unusable, it shall not be replaced until the blade is measured to ensure the total number of inches conforms with the replacement blade.

Tools for employee dining areas (snack bars), which use inmate workers, shall be coded, inventoried, and controlled by this procedure. Since tools are received by direct purchase, the snack bar manager shall add the new tools to the snack bar inventory and code the tools in compliance with the institutional identification system. Inventory control shall be on a daily basis by the snack bar manager.

All surgical tools shall be kept in secured cabinets in locked rooms. A complete inventory log shall be maintained in the locked cabinet. Each set of tools shall be visible on cabinet shelves. Only medical staff shall have access to and are accountable for the issuance of these tools. Under no circumstances shall inmates have access to the room or use of the tools without nursing staff or custody staff being present. After a surgery is completed, the tools shall be cleaned and accounted for by the nursing staff. All syringes and needles shall be kept under lock and key in designated areas.

Infirmary

• Tools for the infirmary examination room and emergency treatment room shall be stored in locked instrument cabinets. Access to the instrument cabinets is limited to authorized medical staff. The authorized staff shall conduct an inventory of the instruments prior to leaving the work area for breaks, lunch, and at the end of their shift.

• Note: The CMOChief Medical Officer shall be accountable for the total tool inventory for medical services. Due to the nature and size of tools (instruments), coding by institutional identification system may be impractical.

Dental Area

• Dental tools shall be kept in security cabinets secured in the dental area. Each cabinet shall have an inventory sheet of the tools in the cabinet. Inmates shall not handle the equipment unless a dentist is present and has given approval. When not in use by a dentist, syringes and needles shall be secured in the dental operatory.

A secure tool cabinet shall be located in the firehouse equipment room. The fire chief shall control and inventory the tool cabinet. Each tool box, utilized for fire equipment within the department, shall have a clearly posted inventory card for tools maintained in the box. The fire chief shall check and maintain an accurate daily inventory of each assigned firehouse tool box.

Firehouse tools shall be coded by the institutional identification system.

All tools obtained for use of various inmate work crews inside the security area shall be controlled and inventoried daily by the inmates’ supervisor. Supervisors shall also check the tools prior to leaving the area for breaks, lunch, and at the completion of their shift. All tools shall be coded by institutional identification system. Examples of these areas are, but not limited to:

• Barber shops (staff and inmate).

• Canteen.

• Chapels.

• Clothing room.

• Control room (including emergency tool boxes).

• Housing units.

• Inside gardening crews.

• Locksmith.

• Receiving and release.

• Recreational/gym areas.

• Visiting room.

• Law library.

All tools for maintenance and use outside the security area of an institution shall be inventoried and controlled by the designated supervisor. Each area shall have a security storage area and inventory cards/sheets therein to ensure all tools are maintained and controlled. Examples of these areas are, but not limited to:

• Armory.

• Family visiting.

• Garage.

• Gardening crews.

• Range.

• Service station.

• Sewage plant.

The Chief of Plant Operations shall provide technical instruction on projects, location of projects, types of materials and other security precautions to contractors during any construction within the security area. Exceptions to this shall be approved by the respective captain.

Tools provided by contractors working inside the security area shall be inventoried each day by the sallyport officers as the contractor enters and exits the area. The escorting employee and the contractor shall ensure that no tools are left in the area when the contractor exits the facility.

Supervisors carrying tools for work details inside the security perimeter shall control tools, when not in use, in secured locked tool boxes and/or tool lockers. Each set of tools shall have an inventory card/sheet to ensure all tools taken into an area are removed from the area.

At times, employees feel that there is a need to use personally-owned tools or equipment within the institution in performing their assigned duties. This shall be permitted if written approval is obtained from the Warden prior to tools being brought into the institution. All personal tools when brought into or taken out of the institution shall be inventoried daily by the sallyport officer.

The Deputy Director, Institutions Division, or designee, shall ensure that the content of this section is current.

PCPenal Code §§ 2707, 5057 and 5058.

CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations § 3303(c).

ACAAmerican Correctional Association Standards 2-4192, 2-4195, and 2-4197.