Scioto County Sheriff’s Office

Portsmouth, Ohio

WRITTEN DIRECTIVES

POLICY AND PROCEDURES

715 INMATE GRIEVANCES

Effective Date:
020106 / Directives Rescinded: / Review Date:090705
Pages 3
Revised date: / Reference: / Distribution:

Revision:

01PURPOSE

The grievances process provides a formal method for inmates to resolve their grievances with management fairly and expeditiously.

02POLICY

The Scioto County Jail [SCJ] inmate grievance procedure may be used by inmates to address problems or complaints of any nature in reference to their treatment during incarceration. In order to provide an impartial method of filing grievances, inmates will be notified by the inmate rules, of the method of initiating and resolving a grievance. An inmate may file a grievance without fear of reprisal whenever he/she believes they have been subject to abuse, harassment, abridgement of civil rights, or denied privileges without cause.

03DEFINITIONS

04PROCEDURE

04.01 FILING OF INMATE GRIEVANCES

Whenever an inmate wishes to file a grievance, he/she will request an Inmate Grievance Report, JA-53, from a Deputy Sheriff.

Deputy Sheriff Responsibilities

  • Talk with the inmate and attempt to resolve the issue. At this stage most issues can be resolved by the Deputy Sheriff.
  • If the inmate wants the grievance to remain confidential, the inmate will be given a grievance form, instructed to seal it in an envelope, and forward to the Sergeant.
  • If the issue is not resolved and the inmate does not want the grievance to remain confidential, deliver an inmate grievance form to the inmate.
  • If needed, assist the inmate in completing the inmate grievance form.
  • Document steps taken to resolve the issue at this stage.
  • If the grievance is not resolved at this stage, forward the grievance to the shift supervisor.

Shift Supervisor Responsibilities

  • Upon receiving an inmate grievance form, the shift supervisor will attempt to resolve any issues and document any action taken.
  • If the complaint is resolved, the supervisor will document the action taken and how the complaint was resolved. The report will be forwarded through the chain-of-command to the Division Commander. The inmate will be given a copy of the report.
  • If the grievance is not resolved at this stage, document the action taken and forward the grievance form within five days of the date to the Sergeant.

Sergeant’s Responsibilities

  • Upon receiving an inmate grievance form, the Sergeant will attempt to resolve any issues and document any action taken.
  • If the complaint is resolved, the Sergeant will document the action taken and how the complaint was resolved. The report will be forwarded to the Division Commander. The inmate will be given a copy of the report.
  • If the grievance is not resolved at this stage, document the action taken and forward the grievance within fives days to the Division Commander.

Division Commander’s Responsibility

  • Upon receiving an inmate grievance form, the Division Commanderwill attempt to resolve any issues and document any action taken.
  • Submit his/her written decision on thegrievanceto the inmate.

04.02 RECORDS

The Division Commander is responsible for Coordination of grievance procedures and the maintenance and control of inmate grievance records.

The Division Commander will periodically review grievances to determine if there are any significant trends that need to be addressed.

04.03RETALIATION PROHIBITED

Retaliation against an inmate by staff, for filing an inmate grievance form is prohibited.

An inmate may be subject to the disciplinary process for filing unfounded grievances against staff members with malicious intent.

05SPECIAL PROPVISIONS

05.01TRAINING / REVIEW

New Employees

Supervisors will review this directive with all new personnel as part of their Orientation training.

Revisions

Supervisors will review all revisions with their personnel.

By Order of the Sheriff______Date______

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715 INMATE GRIEVANCES 090705