BSCC Use of Force Principles 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'de-escalation' mean in the context of correctional use of force?
- Increasing force levels in a step-by-step manner
- Using communication and tactics to reduce tension and avoid or minimize force (Correct answer)
- Delegating the situation to a senior officer
- Documenting the incident before it escalates
Correct answer: Using communication and tactics to reduce tension and avoid or minimize force
De-escalation involves active communication, patience, and tactical positioning to resolve conflicts without or with minimal force.
Question 2: Under BSCC standards, supervisors who witness excessive force by a subordinate and fail to intervene may be found:
- Exempt from liability as bystanders
- Liable for failure to intervene (Correct answer)
- Responsible only for writing the report
- Required to retrain the officer but not liable
Correct answer: Liable for failure to intervene
Supervisors have a duty to intervene when they witness clearly excessive or unlawful force, and failure to do so can result in personal liability.
Question 3: Which scenario would most clearly constitute 'malicious and sadistic' use of force under the Eighth Amendment?
- Restraining a combative inmate who is fighting staff
- Striking a handcuffed, compliant inmate while laughing (Correct answer)
- Using OC spray on an inmate threatening another
- Taking down an inmate charging at an officer
Correct answer: Striking a handcuffed, compliant inmate while laughing
Striking a restrained, compliant inmate for no penological purpose exemplifies malicious and sadistic force prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.
Question 4: In a cell extraction scenario, which step should generally occur FIRST?
- Deploy chemical agents immediately
- Attempt verbal persuasion and de-escalation (Correct answer)
- Enter the cell with a five-officer team
- Notify medical staff to stand by
Correct answer: Attempt verbal persuasion and de-escalation
Policy generally requires attempting verbal contact and de-escalation before escalating to physical extraction tactics.
Question 5: Which of the following is a lawful use of force in a correctional facility?
- Punishing an inmate for filing a grievance
- Preventing an inmate from destroying facility property when no lesser means is available (Correct answer)
- Retaliating against an inmate who insulted an officer
- Demonstrating force to other inmates as a warning
Correct answer: Preventing an inmate from destroying facility property when no lesser means is available
Preventing property destruction when no lesser means is available is a recognized legitimate penological purpose for using force.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a use-of-force review board or committee in a correctional agency?
- To determine the criminal guilt of staff involved
- To assess whether force used was justified and identify training needs (Correct answer)
- To represent officers in disciplinary hearings
- To notify victims of force incidents
Correct answer: To assess whether force used was justified and identify training needs
Use-of-force review boards evaluate incidents to ensure policy compliance, accountability, and improvement of training programs.
Question 7: Which factor is most important in determining whether positional restraint (e.g., prone restraint) is safe to continue?
- Whether the inmate is still verbally resistant
- Continuous monitoring of the inmate's breathing and consciousness (Correct answer)
- The number of officers present
- Whether the inmate has a disciplinary history
Correct answer: Continuous monitoring of the inmate's breathing and consciousness
Prone restraint can cause positional asphyxia, so constant monitoring of breathing and consciousness is essential to prevent death.
BSCC Use of Force Principles 4
What does 'de-escalation' mean in the context of correctional use of force?