Gordon Graham
Category: Corrections

Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Today’s Tip is for my friends in corrections and it’s a quick discussion on the transportation of inmates outside your facility.

You are very vulnerable when you are transporting an inmate. There is a lot to think about.

Your department probably transports inmates outside of your jail several times a day without incident.  

But, because it happens so frequently, it’s easy for complacency to set in. “I’ve done it a hundred times. We’ve never had a problem.” This complacency can turn a routine transport into a disaster.  

You are very vulnerable when you are transporting an inmate. There is a lot to think about. 

You should always be concerned with contraband during transport. You should be following your department’s policy. Search the transport vehicle and the inmate before and after the transport.   

You should make a comprehensive transport plan. Include primary routes and alternate routes. 

Decide in advance how the inmate will be restrained. 

Limit communication with the inmate about the transport. Does the inmate know where they are going? Or when? Have they had access to a telephone in the housing unit? 

Who outside the facility knows about the transport?  

Make contingency plans. What will you do if you get into an accident? Or if you get a flat tire?

Consider external threats as well. There may be someone seeking the opportunity to intervene on your transport to harm your inmate or to launch an escape attempt. 

No matter how many times they have gone off without a hitch, remember that transports are high-risk activities. It’s important to actively resist complacency.   

Remain vigilant. Plan and prepare. Things could go wrong when you least expect it.  

And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Gordon Graham signing off.