For correctional facilities, adhering to the Sandra Bland Act requirements is not only a matter of compliance but also an essential step toward ensuring the safety, dignity, and mental well-being of incarcerated individuals.
What is the Sandra Bland Act?
In July 2015, Sandra Bland was arrested following a traffic stop in Waller County, Texas. Three days later, she was found hanged in her jail cell. Cell phone video showing her arrest went viral, prompting a State investigation and a call for improved jail procedures. The Texas Legislature responded by passing Senate Bill 1849, also known as the Sandra Bland Act.
The Sandra Bland Act addresses how law enforcement should be trained and the resources needed to handle mental illness, substance abuse, or intellectual differences. Some of the requirements include:
- Identifying and diverting inmates with a mental illness or an intellectual disability to treatment centers
- Investigating in-custody deaths through independent law enforcement agencies
- Requiring officers to complete de-escalation training
- Implementing a system in jails to ensure accurate and timely face-to-face checks between officers and high-risk inmates
The Sandra Bland Act also focuses on improving electronic monitoring and reporting on high-risk inmates, including automated electronic sensors or cameras to ensure timely in-person cell checks.
Understanding the Sandra Bland Act Requirements
The Sandra Bland Act mandates correctional facilities to take proactive measures to safeguard the mental and physical health of individuals in custody. While it was enacted in Texas, its guidelines have influenced standards nationwide, particularly in mental health screening, inmate monitoring, and record-keeping. The Sandra Bland Act is rooted in preventing incidents of self-harm and promoting a safer approach to incarceration.
For correctional facilities, compliance with the Sandra Bland Act requirements includes:
Timely Mental Health Screening and Care
The Sandra Bland Act requires timely mental health screening and care. Correctional facilities must ensure that inmates undergo a thorough mental health evaluation shortly after intake, with the goal of identifying those who may be at risk of self-harm or in need of mental health support. This proactive approach helps your jail catch potential issues early on and connect inmates with the resources they need to maintain their mental well-being.
Enhanced Inmate Monitoring and Checks
In addition to mental health screening, the Sandra Bland Act calls for enhanced inmate monitoring and welfare checks. Correctional officers are required to conduct regular checks on inmates, especially those identified as being at risk, to ensure their safety and well-being. These interactions need to be tracked and logged, creating a clear record of the care and attention provided to each individual.
Documentation and Accountability
Documentation is a critical component of the Sandra Bland Act. Solid record-keeping promotes transparency and accountability in the treatment of inmates. Every check, evaluation, and interaction must be recorded as part of a detailed log of each inmate’s care. By documenting inmate cell checks, your facility not only maintains high standards of inmate welfare but also aligns with ethical corrections practices and mitigates legal risks for the facility.
Key Challenges in Compliance
While the Sandra Bland Act requirements establish essential safety and mental health standards, many facilities encounter obstacles to full compliance. Common challenges include:
Limited Resources and Funding
Your facility resources may already be stretched thin. Budget limitations and staff shortages can hinder a facility’s ability to provide continuous mental health support and maintain consistent monitoring. Completing frequent check-ins and maintaining consistent and accurate documentation can be challenging with limited resources.
Tech Gaps
Real-time tracking and documentation are essential for inmate monitoring, but facilities using older monitoring systems or lacking sufficient technology may struggle to maintain accurate records. Modern solutions like Radio-frequency Identification (RFID) tracking or inmate welfare checks can be critical tools but require investment and implementation planning.
Training Needs
Compliance is only as effective as the awareness and preparedness of the staff. Facilities must train personnel to recognize mental health signs, perform regular checks, and use monitoring tools. Without adequate training, staff may overlook critical warning signs or fail to meet procedural requirements, putting both inmates and facilities at risk.
Steps to Ensure Compliance with Sandra Bland Act Requirements
Here are steps to help your facility achieve compliance:
1. Invest in Monitoring Technology
Facilities can enhance inmate monitoring through advanced technology solutions like JailCore MOBILE, which allows real-time tracking of inmate movements, routine welfare checks, and accurate logging of staff interactions using state-of-the-art Near Field Communication/Radio-frequency Identification (NFC/RFID) technology, which transmits data through electromagnetic radio fields.
Suicide and special needs watches can be some of the most time-consuming and critical duties your staff is tasked to complete. JailCore’s Inmate Observation feature helps officers quickly log the specific and customizable state the inmate was in during the observation. It also provides them with a visual countdown clock and alert for the next timed observation.
2. Enhance Mental Health Support Services
Consider enhancing your facility’s mental health resources. Partnering with mental health professionals, investing in telehealth options, or providing remote psychiatric services can be very valuable, particularly in facilities without full-time on-site mental health personnel. You want to make suret at-risk individuals receive the necessary mental health support they need to reduce incidents of self-harm and create a more secure environment for both staff and inmates.
3. Regular Staff Training and Certification
Establishing a comprehensive training program is essential. Correctional staff should be trained to recognize signs of mental distress, utilize monitoring tools effectively, and follow check-in protocols. Offering ongoing education and certification opportunities not only aids compliance but also equips staff with the skills to manage mental health crises effectively, ensuring inmate safety and upholding the facility’s commitment to the Act.
4. Conduct Audits
Regular internal audits can help your facility maintain compliance with the Sandra Bland Act requirements. Audits can help identify gaps in monitoring, documentation, or mental health protocols. By conducting routine checks, facilities can address compliance issues proactively, adjust practices as necessary, and avoid potential legal liability and operational pitfalls.
JailCore’s reporting features can help you stay on track. For example, the Medical Observations Report is a vital tool within the Observation Reports suite, designed to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of inmates with specific medical needs. This comprehensive report provides a detailed account of all medical checks performed on inmates, including suicide watch, detox monitoring, and other essential observations. The Medical Observations Report ensures compliance with established protocols and provides a clear, auditable trail of all medical checks performed within the facility.
JailCore’s inmate monitoring system also features comprehensive audit logs that empower you with the tools to ensure accountability, optimize performance, and mitigate potential risks.
The Benefits of Compliance
Adhering to the Sandra Bland Act requirements does more than just meet legal standards. Compliance offers tangible benefits to correctional facilities, including:
Reduced Liability and Risk
Meeting the Act’s requirements minimizes the risks of incidents leading to legal liability. Transparent documentation and consistent monitoring are powerful deterrents against negligence claims and other liabilities.
Improved Inmate Welfare
A focus on mental health, regular check-ins, and detailed documentation benefits your inmates, helping to reduce self-harm incidents and improve overall safety. Plus, a safer environment creates a more stable and professional atmosphere within your facility.
Stronger Reputation
Compliance demonstrates your facility’s commitment to humane correctional practices, potentially enhancing its reputation within the corrections community and with the public. Facilities that prioritize inmate safety and mental health can set a standard for ethical incarceration.
By investing in technology, prioritizing mental health, and training staff, your facility can create an environment that upholds both the letter and spirit of the Sandra Bland Act. For correctional professionals, now is the time to assess your facility’s practices. Learn more about how JailCore can help you adhere to the Sandra Blanc Act Requirements. Request a demo today.