Chair Brooks-Powers asks which Board of Correction deadlocking safeguards DOC implemented
Brooks-Powers cites Board of Correction recommendations on mandatory reporting, audits, training, discipline, and tracking lock-in duration. Chard says DOC has reporting obligations for emergency lock-ins and supervisors should observe and correct violations.
In a 2025 report, the Board of Correction recommended mandatory reporting of individualized and voluntary lock-ins, audits of logbooks,
and surveillance footage, targeted staff training, discipline where appropriate, and track of lock-in duration and impact on services.
Which of these safeguards has Department of Correction implemented?
So I know in general, when those allegations were made, again, we refer that immediately to DOI, and their investigation could not substantiate any of those allegations.
Nonetheless, at the time, there was communication and direction given from the top to the bottom that that is not within our policy, that's not something that should be occurring.
The department already has reporting obligations related to emergency lock-ins, inclusive of duration and any interrupted services, so those reports have remained ongoing.
So essentially there are steps that DOC has implemented to be able to ensure that the staff understands that it's not permissible anymore through communication.
And how are you tracking whether or not it's happening or instances if it were to happen?
That should be something that's being recognized by supervisors during their regular touring, because, again, it is not policy for that to be occurring.
And so as supervisors and frontline staff are making their regular tours, that's something that should be observed and corrected for.
And in the case that policy is being violated, of course, discipline is appropriate.