This Department Order establishes a system that provides for escorted inmate leave to visit an immediate family member in imminent danger of death (bedside visit) or to attend a private funeral viewing of a deceased immediate family member.

1.1    Inmate escorted leave shall be granted only for situations involving verified inmate immediate family members. Immediate family is identified as an inmate’s legal spouse, natural or adopted parents, siblings, natural or adopted children, stepchildren, grandparents, or person verified as being primarily responsible for raising the inmate in the absence of a parent.

1.2 Each escorted leave request shall be considered individually on a case by case basis. One or more of the following factors may be considered in establishing  ineligibility for an escorted leave visit:

 

1.2.1    A documented prison and/or criminal history that includes a disposition for an escape or escape attempt from within the secure perimeter of a jail or correctional facility, from a work detail, or while on a transport by a correctional or law enforcement agency.

 

1.2.2    The inmate has a documented criminal history that includes absconding from Probation, Parole or Community Supervision.

 

1.2.3    The inmate has unresolved warrants or detainers.

 

 

1.2.4    A documented prison history that includes possession of contraband for escape or materials used to remove restraints.

 

1.2.5    A documented history of physical assault against correctional staff or law enforcement officers.

 

1.2.6    The inmate’s presence in the community could present a threat to the safety of staff, the inmate or the general public.

 

1.2.7    The inmate has had a mental status evaluation by Department mental health staff that indicates that the leave would not be in the best interest of the inmate or the in best interest of public safety.

 

1.2.8    The inmate is in Close or Maximum security status or an inmate with a high Internal Risk score.

 

1.2.9    The inmate is currently in detention status, is pending discipline for a serious major rule violation, or has had two or more serious rule violations within the past six months.

 

1.2.10    The inmate has failed to demonstrate program compliance that

would warrant ineligibility for consideration of the escorted visit.

 

1.2.11    The inmate is currently housed in a contract bed out of state, or has been transferred to another state through Interstate Compact.

1.1    Inmates are eligible for escorted leave only within the boundaries of the State of Arizona.

1.2    Inmates may apply for an escorted leave for a bedside visit for serious illness or a funeral viewing, but not both.

1.3    Bedside visits shall only be permitted for a family member that is in imminent danger of death as determined by a Physician or other medical professional.

1.4    Bedside visits shall only occur in a hospital, hospice care center or nursing home. Bedside visits at a private residence shall not be approved. Applications for any other locations shall be reviewed on a case by case basis.

1.5    Funeral leave to attend a viewing of deceased immediate family member shall only be approved for funeral homes and/or mortuaries. Visits shall not be approved for private residences, graveside services, or to attend church services. Funeral viewings inside of a church may be authorized on case by case basis where the viewing is private and the family and the public will not be present.

1.6    Funeral visits shall not be approved for a closed casket, or in the event that the body has already been cremated.

1.7    Escorted leave shall be pre-arranged private visits. Family members and the general public shall not be permitted to attend the private viewing or bedside visit with the inmate.

1.8    Escorted leave shall not exceed one hour in length. The total time, including travel, shall not exceed eight hours in length. Attendance at an escorted visit is limited to hours between 0800 and 1700 hours. The respective Regional Operations Director shall approve trips in excess of eight hours.

1.9    The Division Director for Offender Operations or designee, the Warden or Deputy Warden may deny an escorted leave application in the event that approval would result in complex/unit staffing dropping below CORE or would result in the expenditure of overtime.

1.1    Escorted leave applications shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and shall be reviewed and approved by the Division Director for Offender Operations or designee, the Warden and the Deputy Warden.

1.2    Inmates who wish to apply for an escorted visit shall complete and submit an Escorted Leave Application, Form 1005-1, through their assigned Correctional Officer III (CO III) or the appropriate Contract Beds staff.

1.3    The CO III, Chaplain or designated staff shall verify the family illness and or death information by contacting hospitals, doctors, social workers, funeral directors, local law enforcement and/or other reliable professional resources.

1.3.1    All relationships between the inmate and the ill/deceased family member shall be verified through documentation including, but not limited to, visitation records, court records, or birth records. The type of documentation utilized for verification shall be noted on the Application.

1.3.2    The designated staff completing the Application shall complete a review of the inmate’s file and AIMS. Any information used to support disapproval shall be attached to the application.

1.5    Applications for inmates housed at Contract Beds facilities shall be initiated by contract staff who shall confirm transportation and ensure that all arrangements are consistent with this Department Order. The application shall be reviewed for approval by the facility Warden and shall be hand carried to the Contract Monitor for further review. The Contract Monitor or designee shall fax the completed application to the Division Director for Offender Operations for final approval.

1.6    The Division Director for Offender Operations or designee may exercise discretion and deny an application for escorted leave based upon correctional judgment and the necessity to operate the institutions in a safe and orderly manner.

1.1    In all cases of a family member's death, the cause of death shall be verified and noted on the Application. In cases where the cause of death is other than natural causes, or is listed as the result of a homicide or violence, the local law enforcement shall be contacted to provide the circumstances surrounding the death.

1.2    Institution staff shall contact local law enforcement where information indicates a possible threat to the safety of staff, inmates or the public. This includes, but is not limited to, situations where the funeral home/mortuary, nursing home, or hospice center is located in a high crime area or in an area where there may be the potential for street gang activity. All contacts shall be noted on the application.

1.3    Hospital security shall be notified of all hospital visit trips in advance and the escorting officers shall follow all visitation protocols.

1.4    Institutions shall make timely notifications to the Department's Protective Services Unit and local law enforcement agencies whenever circumstances arise where assistance may be necessary. This includes, but is not limited to, situations where an inmate is a validated STG member, as outlined in Department Order #806, Security Threat Groups (STGs), or when there is an indication that the family member is the victim of a homicide or an act of violence that may be gang related.

1.1    The ratio of Correctional Officers to inmates on escorted leave is two officers to one inmate. All inmates shall be transported in a Department caged transport vehicle.

1.2    Escorting correctional officers shall be armed and shall be required to wear appropriate protective vests at all times. Escorting officers shall be issued Department cell phones for the trip.

1.3    Inmates shall be restrained at all times in accordance with Department Order #705, Inmate Transportation. Restraints shall not be removed at any time during the escorted leave.

1.4    Inmates shall be required to wear orange colored Department inmate uniforms. Officers shall maintain visual contact with the inmate at all times.

1.6    The escorting officers are authorized to terminate the trip at any time if they determine that the security or safety of themselves, the public, or the inmate cannot be maintained. An Incident Report shall be filed upon return to the institution.

1.7    Upon the inmate’s return to the institution/unit, escorting staff shall report on the inmate’s demeanor and behavior following the visit to their supervisor. The Chaplain and Mental Health Staff shall be notified of the inmate’s return in the event that the inmate’s demeanor warrants. Inmates shall be strip searched prior to leaving and upon returning to the institution as outlined in Department Order #708, Searches.

1.1    Inmates housed at Department and/or Contract Beds facilities shall be required to reimburse the Department for expenses incurred during the escort. The CO III or CO IV submitting the Leave Request shall calculate the costs.

1.2    Inmates who apply for or request a bedside, hospital, or funeral trip shall indicate in what manner the trip is to be funded. The salaries of the escorting officers as well as the travel costs/mileage shall be requested from the inmate's family.

1.2.1    Payments shall be remitted to the nearest Department facility and may either be mailed or hand delivered. All funds shall be in either cashiers check or money order (US currency only). Cash shall not be accepted. The check or money order shall have the inmate’s name, ADC inmate number, and a notation as to what it is for (e.g. funeral trip, bedside visit etc).

 

1.2.2    Payments made by the family shall be received in full and prior to the scheduled leave.

 

1.2.3    The receiving business office shall deposit the funds into the appropriate inmate account and notify the business office at the facility where the inmate is housed.

1.3    If the family cannot fund the escorted visit:

1.3.1    The inmate shall be required to provide payment for the escorted leave.

1.3.3    If the inmate refuses to sign the Inmate Request for Withdrawal form and the family cannot or refuses to fund the trip, the escorted visit shall be denied.

 

1.3.4    The leave application shall be denied should the inmate have insufficient funds in his/her account to cover the costs of the leave. The Department shall not authorize an inmate to have a hold placed on his/her account to cover the costs of an escorted leave.

Dora Schriro

Director

1005-1, Inmate Escorted Leave Application

A.R.S. 31-233, Order for Removal Purposes; Duration; Work Furlough; Notice; Failure to Return; Classification