NCJ Number
185134
Journal
Corrections Technology and Management Volume: 4 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2000 Pages: 16-19
Date Published
2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the planning and execution of a total institution "shakedown" at the Morgan County regional Correctional Facility in Morgan County, Tenn., conducted by an outside emergency response team (ERT).
Abstract
The facility has 16 housing units and a 152-bed minimum-security annex. The shakedown plan was to use 41 ERT members from four different State Department of Corrections facilities located outside the region. The visiting personnel were divided into three crews, with one starting at the minimum-security annex housing 150 inmates, and the remaining two crews handling the 16 compound units with more than 800 inmates. The shakedown began at 10:50 a.m. and concluded at 8 p.m. Adequate planning was the single most important element in the success of the search. The warden and deputy warden held an initial planning discussion with the food service manager, maintenance supervisor, health administrator, administrative staff, and key security personnel to determine how best to proceed. A follow-up discussion was held the morning of the shakedown. In this meeting, unit managers and shift supervisors helped refine the plans and adjust strategy to allow for contingencies not already considered. Additionally, several impromptu meetings were held throughout the day with key staff to discuss the status of the search, ramifications of the schedule implementation, problems encountered, and solutions, along with the overtime issue. Urging unit managers and shift supervisors to spread the word that it would be a joint venture erased the notion that the outside ERT members would "take over" the search. Assigning several in-house personnel (including rated officers and support staff) to each shakedown crew reinforced shared command. Also, it allowed staff to be the originators of any disciplinary reports. On the other side, administration officials made sure the visiting personnel had the support and acceptance of in-house staff. Having one staff member designated coordinator of the operation proved to be beneficial. The operation proceeded smoothly and efficiently with virtually no problems from inmates.