BSCC Title 15 Inmate Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Title 15, which entity must approve a local detention facility's compliance plan before it begins operating?
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
- Board of State and Community Corrections (Correct answer)
- California Attorney General's Office
- County Board of Supervisors
Correct answer: Board of State and Community Corrections
The Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) is the state agency responsible for inspecting local detention facilities and approving compliance with Title 15 minimum standards.
Question 2: When performing a safety check on an inmate in a sobering cell, Title 15 requires visual observation at minimum every:
- 5 minutes
- 10 minutes
- 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- 30 minutes
Correct answer: 15 minutes
Title 15 mandates that inmates housed in sobering cells be visually observed at intervals not exceeding 15 minutes.
Question 3: Under Title 15, an inmate who refuses a required medical screening must have the refusal:
- Accepted without further action if the inmate is competent
- Documented in writing and signed by the inmate if possible (Correct answer)
- Overridden by facility medical staff immediately
- Reported to the district attorney within 24 hours
Correct answer: Documented in writing and signed by the inmate if possible
Title 15 requires that an inmate's refusal of a medical screening be documented in writing, with the inmate's signature obtained if possible, to create a record of informed refusal.
Question 4: Title 15 prohibits housing which of the following groups together without appropriate separation?
- Males and females
- Juveniles tried as adults and adult felons
- Sentenced and unsentenced misdemeanants
- Both A and B (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both A and B
Title 15 requires that males and females, as well as minors tried as adults and adult inmates, be housed separately to protect their safety and constitutional rights.
Question 5: Under Title 15, a facility must maintain inmate records for a minimum of how many years after the inmate's release?
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 3 years (Correct answer)
- 5 years
Correct answer: 3 years
Title 15 requires local detention facilities to retain inmate records for a minimum of three years following the inmate's release or discharge.
Question 6: Which scenario correctly describes Title 15's standard for use of chemical agents on an inmate?
- May be used whenever an inmate refuses a direct order
- Requires verbal warning and opportunity to comply before use except in emergencies (Correct answer)
- Can only be used if approved in writing by the facility administrator
- Prohibited in all local detention facilities under Title 15
Correct answer: Requires verbal warning and opportunity to comply before use except in emergencies
Title 15 requires staff to give a verbal warning and a reasonable opportunity to comply before deploying chemical agents, except when an immediate threat to safety exists.
Question 7: Under Title 15, what is the minimum lighting level (in foot-candles) required in inmate living areas during waking hours?
- 5 foot-candles
- 10 foot-candles
- 20 foot-candles (Correct answer)
- 30 foot-candles
Correct answer: 20 foot-candles
Title 15 specifies a minimum of 20 foot-candles of lighting in inmate living areas during waking hours to ensure safe and adequate illumination.
BSCC Title 15 Inmate Management 3
Under Title 15, which entity must approve a local detention facility's compliance plan before it begins operating?