Facility Access - Personal Cell Phone

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Control Number: 510.02.01.002 Version: 1.0 Title: Facility Access – Personal Cell Phone Page Number: 2 of 3 Idaho Department of Correction contained herein. (Contractors that enter a facility on a short-term basis are not allowed to possess a cell phone or similar device inside the facility.) STANDARD PROCEDURES The department recognizes the possible need and convenience of personal cell phones for staff and assigned IDOC contractors while in a correctional facility; however, the department also recognizes that there are serious security and safety concerns involved with having cell phones within correctional facilities. The procedures in this SOP are to help ensure accountability, tracking, and control of cell phones and their use in IDOC correctional facilities. Cell phones supported by the IDOC for command staff (deputy warden, warden, deputy chief, chief, deputy director, and director) are exempt from this SOP and its requirements. Laptops, tablets, and other cellular and wireless network devices, such as watches, etc. are not covered in this SOP. Authorizations for these types of devices must be completed through a memorandum from the facility head and on an as needed basis at the discretion of the facility head. Introduction of any cell phone or similar device that is not specifically approved in accordance with this SOP is contraband and could result in administrative action (see 205.07.001.001 Corrective and Disciplinary Action) or criminal charges or both. 1. Prohibited Items and Activities Staff and assigned contractors must limit the use of personal phones to ensure that such usage does not interfere with the performance of their duties. The following cell phones, related items, and activities are prohibited: • Allowing inmates to use or view images or text on a cell phone • Cell phone use when inmates are present (to include programming, visiting, day room, meals,) during inmate movements, count times, tier checks, etc. • Disposable cell phones, cell phones without a screen lock function, and cell phones the service provider cannot disable. • Listening to music • Making audio recordings • Plugging cell phones into IDOC computers • Taking pictures or video of any person or any area inside a correctional facility or of the outside of the correctional facility • Watching movies, sporting events, etc. 2. Authorization for a Personal Cell Phone in a Correctional Facility To be authorized to bring in, have, or use a cell phone within a correctional facility, staff and assigned contractors must complete and submit, and have received approval using Cell Phone Authorization Form for Correctional Facilities. Once approved, a cell phone chit is issued to the staff member or assigned contractor. The cell phone chit is easily recognizable by color (red), identifying mark, and contains