RE: Aeromedical Prisoner Transport

["Mark Frederick" <Mark.Frederick@north-slope.org>]

Title: Aeromedical Prisoner Transport

Having worked in a correctional setting previously, i can tell you what i think

 

if we were to send an inmate out of the facility by ground ambulance the inmate would be fitted with:

 

Handcuffs with hands in front. (rear cuffing prevents placing patient supine and prevents the officer from seeing if the inmate is attempting to manipulate the cuffs.)

A waist chain.

A so called "black box" which is a clamshell type device that links the waist chain to the handcuffs and also covers the keyholes on the cuffs to prevent picking.

A masterlock type padlock to connect the blackbox and waist chain

Leg Irons. (ankle sized handcuffs with an 18 inch chain to prevent kicking / running)

 

this configuration provides for maximum control over the inmate, while allowing pretty good flexibility in terms of patient positioning. you can start IVs and even do CPR with the restraints in place.

 

as to the question of guns on board, you should also consider the possibility that some COs may be authorized to carry other weapons that could create problems in flight such as stunguns, batons and chemical agents like Mace.

 

that being said, i wouldn't want any of those onboard with an inmate unless there were a physical barrier between the inmate and the officer, which would then require a second unarmed officer to be on the inmate side of the barrier with the medical crew...

 

obviously, that isn't going to be realistic on an aircraft that hasn't been specifically confighured for that mission... (ex: "CONAir")

 

 

perhaps contacting somone at the US Marshall's JPATS program might provide you with some useful information http://www.usdoj.gov/marshals/factsheets/jpats.html although they may be hesitant to answer all of your questions for security reasons.

Mark Frederick PA-C, Medevac Specialist
North Slope Borough Fire Department
mark.frederick@north-slope.org
http://www.north-slope.org
http://www.weather.com/weather/local/99723
http://www.rposs.com/nsbsar/home.htm
907-852-0307

-----Original Message-----
From: Alexander, Rex [mailto:RAlexander3@clarian.org]
Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 1:54 PM
To: 'flightmed@flightweb.com'
Subject: Aeromedical Prisoner Transport

This topic has come up recently and I was wondering what everyone else's policy or procedures were when it came to the transport of prisoners?  Do you or don't you transport?  If you do how do you restrain individuals?  Will you only transport if they are intubated?  Do you take law enforcement officers or prison guards on the flight?  If so what do you do with their weapon?

Sincerely,

Rex Alexander
LifeLine Safety Director
I-65 at 21st Street
Indianapolis, IN  46206
Office:  (317) 962-3188     Fax:  (317) 962-2190
E-mail: ralexander3@clarian.org
Web site:  www.clarian.org/lifeline

Safety, its an attitude you can live with!