NCJ Number
183912
Journal
Corrections Technology and Management Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Dated: May/June 2000 Pages: 12-16
Date Published
2000
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes the basic principles, techniques, and equipment used by a five-officer team in moving a resistant inmate from one cell to another.
Abstract
The five-officer extraction technique was developed by USP Leavenworth Special Operations Response Team for dealing with violent and uncooperative offenders. The extraction officers positions are the following: shield officer, left-side officer upper quadrant, right-side officer upper quadrant, left-side officer lower quadrant, and right-side officer lower quadrant. Support staff consist of a video camera operator, and OIC/supervisor, and medical staff. The officers line up in a pre-planned configuration and march to the cell, lining up in front of the cell door. The team commander will, in some but not all cases, allow the inmate one or more chances to comply with the orders. The entire operation, from briefing to extraction, should be videotaped. The team commander can have (if allowed by the institution) the option to use OC or chemical munitions on the offender before the team enters the cell. If this is an option, then the team must be equipped with gas masks. Whether or not the inmate has displayed a weapon, the team should always consider the inmate to be armed and dangerous. If the inmate does not comply with the team leader's command, the order is given to enter the cell. This article describes the detailed responsibilities of each team member in subduing and moving the inmate. Suggestions are also offered for team training, and "less lethal" options are described.