Chapter 5 – Adult Custody and Security Operations

51020.15.1 Chemical Agent Use During Controlled Use of Force – Small Space

• During a controlled use of force in a cell, single person holding cell, shower, or other small space, only the chemical agent products listed in 51020.15.1 may be deployed. Any additional products authorized by the Office of Correctional Safety, Emergency Operations Unit, and approved by the Director, Division of Adult Institutions must be specifically authorized for controlled use of force in a cell or other small space in order to be utilized for this purpose.

  • MK-9 OC Vapor – limited to a single burst of 1-3 seconds in duration per application with a maximum of two applications. 

  • MK-9 OC Fogger – limited to a single burst of 1-5 seconds in duration per application with a maximum of four applications.

  • MK-9 OC Foam – limited to a single burst of 1-5 seconds in duration per application with a maximum of four applications.

  • OC Vapor Grenade – limited to 2 devices

  • OC Flameless Expulsion Grenade – limited to 2 devices

  • X-10 Barricade Removal Device – limited to a single burst of 1-5 seconds in duration per application with a maximum of four applications. Chemical agents may only be deployed from the X-10 during the removal of a barricade. The X-10 is not to be used solely as a delivery device for chemical agents.

• Regardless of which chemical agents are deployed, or in what combination, no more than a total of four chemical agent applications shall be administered. In unusual circumstances or when circumstances call for extreme measures to protect staff or inmates, it may be necessary to exceed the four allowed applications. In this event, the Incident Commander shall consult with the on-site manager, who can authorize additional chemical agent applications. For each additional chemical agent application authorized, the on-site Manager shall verbalize to the camera, the chemical agent application being authorized and the rationale for the decision.

• The amount of time needed for the chemical agents to become effective will vary based upon the delivery method, individual tolerance levels, and environment. A minimum of three minutes shall lapse between each application of chemical agents before additional chemical agents may be applied.

• It is recommended a Response Supervisor be assigned the duties of administering chemical agents during controlled use of force in a cell or other small space. Prior to each use of a chemical agent, the staff member applying it shall display the device in view of the camera and state out loud for the camera the time of application and the type of device being applied.

• After each application of a chemical agent, the Incident Commander and Response Supervisor shall assess the effectiveness or lack thereof. In the event chemical agents have not proven effective, the Incident Commander and Response Supervisor should carefully weigh the continued use of chemical agents versus use of physical force to complete the extraction. If a decision is made to apply additional chemical agents, the Incident Commander shall verbalize to the camera the rationale for the decision. For example: “A vapor grenade was deployed. It has been three minutes. The inmate is not showing any visible reaction, is using a personal barrier, and is shouting. We will now attempt to strike the personal barrier with a fogger product.”

• Staff shall make every reasonable effort to maintain visual contact with an inmate when administering chemical agents and until the inmate is decontaminated.