Corrections Officer Civil Service Exam 49 Questions with Verified Answers
Constitutional Rights of Inmates - CORRECT ANSWER -detainee inmates are
... [Show More] assumed innocent until proven guilty but they still may lose constitutional rights
-while detainee prisoners are entitled to constitutional rights afforded to ordinary citizens, there are exceptions where such rights are overruled by the correctional facility's need to maintain a safe and secure environment
-these exceptions are the right to liberty, the right against search and seizure, and the right to privacy
-sentenced prisoners are convicted and are stripped of some constitutional rights, such as the right to vote
-all prisoners are afforded protection by the eighth amendment, which protects against cruel and unusual punishment, and the fourteenth amendment, which protects against discriminatory treatment
The First Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER -provides freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of public assembly
-correctional facilities exercise these freedoms to the extent that good security will permit, but first amendment rights are limited for the safety and order of the institution
-if inmates were permitted to assemble at will and practice religion whenever they wanted, it could create chaos in the correctional facility
Inmates Mail - CORRECT ANSWER -correctional facilities encourage inmates to communicate with their family and friends to help stabilize their behavior inside prison
-an inmates mail and communication may be restricted by court order if he or she has a history of threatening witnesses or communicating with the outside in a manner that presents a clear and present danger to others
-correctional staff searching incoming mail may open the mail in the presence of the recipient inmate, as long as they are comfortable that it doesn't contain contraband
-once the mail is deemed safe, it must be given to the inmate without being read
-regular mail is subject to vigorous inspection for contraband
-many attempts are made to smuggle contraband into prison facilities through the postal service
Inmates' Religious Beliefs - CORRECT ANSWER -inmates are granted the right to practice their religion, within reason, as protected by the first amendment
-this protection also includes access to meals consistent with religious beliefs
-clergy are assigned to the facility on a volunteer or paid basis
Inmates Access to the Media - CORRECT ANSWER -correction agencies maintain policies regarding inmate reviews with the media
-cameras are generally prohibited inside correctional institutions, so if the interview is camera-based as opposed to a verbal interview for print media, it will receive greater scrutiny and the camera may be prohibited
Inmate Visitation - CORRECT ANSWER -the first amendment grants inmates the right to association; visits are also encouraged by the correctional facility to increase stability in the inmates life
-visits have restrictions and can have limits imposed such as non-contact visits only, limited duration visits, or allowing only a limited number of visitors
-visitors must be approved by the inmate
-inmates in restrictive housing or punitive segregation may be denied visitors or may have visitors at a different time than those for general population inmates
Inmates Access to Books, Newspapers and Magazines - CORRECT ANSWER -inmates are provided access to publications through the right to printed media afforded by the first amendment
-the correctional facility will first review the requested material and remove any security-sensitive articles or pornography before permitting the inmate to read it
-inmates in special housing or punitive segregation may have these rights restricted
The Fourth Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER -provides protection against unreasonable search and seizure
-the criteria cited in the fourth amendment protections are the need for justification of the search, reasonableness of the subject and the persons reasonable expectation of privacy
Reasonableness - CORRECT ANSWER -the inmates right to privacy is prohibited in a correctional facility
-there are some additional regulations and protections for detainee inmates who are charged with a misdemeanor, they may still be searched will not undergo a strip search
-body cavity search is the most extensive type of search, these searches require the inmates consent, except in extreme cases when staff members have a reason to believe an inmate is hiding contraband in a body cavity and the search is justified
Searches - CORRECT ANSWER -the courts allow certain types of searches of inmates for lawful purposes
-inmates are usually searched when entering and leaving the facility and housing unit
-they are also searched during prescheduled or random searches
-their property can be searched
-searches should have a sound basis and reasonable justification to balance the security needs of the facility with the respect for inmates privacy
Cross Gender Searches - CORRECT ANSWER -searches, when possible are conducted by staff who are of the same gender as the inmate
-male Muslim inmates are excluded from a search by a female, except in emergency situations when male staff members are unavailable
Visual Searches - CORRECT ANSWER -the least intrusive
-can be provided by staff of either gender
-looks for signs of concern such as unusual bulges, outlines of objects, overt injuries, or even signs of substance abuse
Pat-Down Searches - CORRECT ANSWER -conducted when inmates enter and exit housing units or service areas and walk in corridors
-the inmate is fully clothed and faces a wall with his or her feet spread shoulder width, while the officer runs his or her hands over the outline of the inmates body, pockets, and groin area to determine if the inmate is concealing any contraband
-the officer may also have inmates open their mouths and stick out their tongue
-officers may run their fingers through the inmates hair to ensure contraband isnt hidden
Strip or Body Cavity Searches - CORRECT ANSWER -the officer cannot perform a cavity search or look into the inmates rectum
-the inmate must remove all clothes and stand infront of the officer and perform a squat to see if anything falls out while their clothes are searched
-performed by clinician in a private setting
-females are aloud to perform on men, but men are never aloud to perform on women
The Fifth Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER -a person cannot be forced to testify against themselves and cannot be tried for the same crime twice in the same jurisdiction
-provides for due process, meaning that a person cannot be arbitrarily convicted and that administrative procedures that provide notice and an opportunity for defense must be followed
-in a correctional setting, an inmate may receive an institutional infraction for violating a rule or policy
-due process provides a hearing for which the inmate is permitted time to hear the evidence against them and to prepare a defense and offer witnesses in support of that defense
-they do not have to speak and can refuse to incriminate themselves
Treatment Programs - CORRECT ANSWER -rehabilitation is the goal of incarceration
-participation in treatment programs can be mandated by the facility, with the goal of maintaining good behavior
-it may be an incentive for early release or for consideration for parole
-inmates can be awarded less restrictive security housing
-substance treatment programs, sex offender programs, and behavior programs
-inmates may oppose being placed in a treatment program because it could be constructed as an admission of guilt for those who pleaded innocent to their charges
Miranda Warnings - CORRECT ANSWER -a result of a landmark 1966 supreme court case in which a defendant sued the state of america alleging that the police did not inform him that any statement he made could be used against him in court
-in many situations in jails and prisons, miranda warnings to not apply
Sixth Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER -guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a speedy public trial, the right to an attorney, a jury of their peers, the right to know the charges, and to challenge evidence and accusers
Access - CORRECT ANSWER -in criminal proceedings, defendants must be provided free legal representation if they cannot afford it themselves
-in administrative proceedings, inside a jail or prison, inmates must have access to a law library to defend their case
-for administrative hearings, they also are permitted guidance, with provisions for an interpreter if needed
Privacy - CORRECT ANSWER -inmates have the right to privileged communications with their attorney of record
-this protects the defendants right to self incrimination
-staff cannot listen to privileged calls between an inmate and his or her attorney of record
Effective Assistance - CORRECT ANSWER -the inmate must have reasonable attorney access
-the facility must schedule time for attorneys to visit and time for inmates to contact attorneys that is reasonable for effective communication
-if an inmate cannot afford to call their attorney, then the call will be provided at no cost
Eighth Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER -protects against cruel and unusual punishment
-in correctional settings, this can translate into conditions of confinement
-protections can regulate meals, environmental conditions, access to recreation and services, and even noise and lighting levels
-certain standard of care
Excessive Force - CORRECT ANSWER -in order to maintain control in correctional setting, the use of force is authorized under federal, state and local statutes as guided by correctional law and state-specific, use of force guidelines
-the use of force will escalate according to a use of force continuum, if a lower level of force is not effective to obtain compliance then the next degree of force may be used
-force must cease when the inmates resistance ceases, otherwise it will deemed excessive
Justified - CORRECT ANSWER -in order for force to be justified, it must have followed the use of force policy and continuum
-the force must be deemed lawful and necessary to affect control over the inmate or to prevent injury or harm to others
Proportionate - CORRECT ANSWER -the level of force employed should be proportionate to the threat
-any injuries to the inmate should be reasonable to the amount of force that staff employed
-review force reports, medical reports, video evidence, photos and interviews of the involved parties and witnesses to verify
-force should be employed as last resort, when verbal orders have failed
-in anticipated force situations, correctional staff should also bring a handheld camera to the scene to record the event
Liability - CORRECT ANSWER -correctional staff can be held accountable for personal liability or vicarious liability
-if the corrections officers actions are deemed unlawful, the agency can choose not to indemnify the staff member, and he or she may be held personally liable for their actions
Personal Liability - CORRECT ANSWER -correctional staff take an oath to abide by rules and regulations and to provide a defined standard of care to inmates under their charge
-if they use excessive force, deny medical treatment to inmates or deny lawful services that are detrimental to the inmate, then the staff member can be held personally liable
Vicarious Liability - CORRECT ANSWER -correctional staff members, regardless of their own personal beliefs, have an obligation to keep all inmates safe
-substantial risk of harm-if a correctional staff member knowingly places the inmate in a situation with a risk of serious harm, the staff member can be held personally responsible
-officer knew of the risk- if the officer has specific information that the inmate will likely be injured, then staff can also be held personally liable
-unreasonable failure to respond- if the officer does not take the appropriate action to keep the inmate safe, then he or she can he held personally responsible
-causation- if the officers actions has a direct relationship to the harm brought upon the inmate, then the officer can be held personally responsible
Failure to Protect Claims - CORRECT ANSWER -vulnerable inmates- correction staff should identify and isolate inmates who are likely to become a target based upon their charge, physical appearance, or other endangering factors
-dangerous inmates- correction staff should identify predatory inmates and isolate them from the general population inmates
-separation- if correctional staff are aware that an inmate could be a victim of violence or is being extorted by other inmates, then the inmate should be separated from the aggressors
-failure to take action- if correction staff witness an imminent assault or an assault in progress, they are required to take action to protect the inmate
-understaffing- if the correctional administrator maintains a poor staff to inmate ratio, it can lead to poor supervision and inmate assaults, for which the administrator can be held responsible
-overcrowding- if the facility if holding more inmates than it was designed to house, overcrowding can contribute to inmate violence
Deliberate Indifference - CORRECT ANSWER -all inmates have a right to competent medical and mental healthcare
-correction staff have an obligation to provide access for inmates to clinical services, neglecting this duty can not only result in administrative discipline but can lead to criminal charges and civil liability for both the correctional agency and officials involved
-actual knowledge- in order to be held responsible, the corrections official had to have knowledge of the condition or ailment through a reasonable detection or surveillance process
Fourteenth Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER -provides a citizen with rights to equal protection of life, liberty and property and due process of law
-in correctional settings, due process is important because it provides rights and protection to the inmate against being arbitrarily sanctioned
-the inmate receives a copy of the institutional rules and regulations upon admission to the facility
-if the inmate violates the rules and regs, they are served written notice of the violation accusation along with the date, time and location of it
-the inmate is then provided 24-48 hours to prepare a defense, access to free counsel if needed, and access to a law library
-the inmate is then brought to an impartial hearing where they can listen to evidence and question witnesses, while presenting their own witness
-the inmate is then given a disposition and if they do not agree with the disposition, they may appeal the decision within a reasonable timeframe
-hearings can result in loss of good time or privileges, and transfer to more restrictive punitive segregation housing
Procedural Due Process versus Substantive Due Process - CORRECT ANSWER -procedural- the process in which the discipline or sanction is processed in sequential order
-substantive- a challenge to sanction itself
The Turner Test - CORRECT ANSWER -a standard developed as a result of a 1987 court decision in which a prisoner sued an Ohio prison for arbitrary regulations that he felt violated his first amendment rights: has 4 components
-to establish if there is a legitimate rationale for the regulation in the interest of security and the good order of the institution
-whether the inmate has a reasonable alternative to exercise the same rights
-to determine if providing the same rights to all prisoners universally would have a negative impact on the good order of the correctional facility
-whether there is another method to permit the inmates right without significant cost to the correctional facility
A Son of Sam Law - CORRECT ANSWER -the son of sam was a nickname given to a serial killer named David Berkowitz, who terrorized NYC in the 1970s
-this law prevents criminals from profiting from their crimes
Work Release - CORRECT ANSWER -some inmates are permitted to leave the facility to attend a verified work opportunity to help them transition to the community upon release with gainful employment
Warden - CORRECT ANSWER -the term used to describe the head of the correctional facility who may also be called a superintendent
Urine surveillance program - CORRECT ANSWER -also known as drug screening, it is a process in which inmates must submit urine samples at frequent intervals for testing
Unity to command - CORRECT ANSWER -also known as chain of command, it refers to when each person reports to the next in a clearly defined hierarchy
Type II facility - CORRECT ANSWER -a facility that houses prisoners requiring a middle-level security, also known as a medium security facility
Type I facility - CORRECT ANSWER -a facility which houses the lowest custody level of prisoners, minimum security
Three-piece suit - CORRECT ANSWER -prison jargon for handcuffs, leg irons and a waist chain that keeps the handcuffs close to the prisoners waist
Supermax institutions - CORRECT ANSWER -institutions reserved for inmates who pose high security concerns, the propensity for escape or serving long-term sentences
Shivs/shanks - CORRECT ANSWER -the prison term for homemade weapons
Shadow Board - CORRECT ANSWER -a board where items are hun and then outlined on the board backing, so that when the item is missing from the board, the shape of the missing item is still outlined on the board
Shakedowns - CORRECT ANSWER -the term for searches of inmates and their property
Trial Avoidance Techniques - CORRECT ANSWER -95% or more of criminal cases never make it to the trial stage
-witness should prepare with their attorney or representative prior to providing testimony
-witnesses should dress well and arrive early for their testimony
-witnesses should only answer the questions asked and should not provide additional information, which may lead the interviewer to another series of questions
Inmate Litigation - CORRECT ANSWER -tort- when an inmate claims to have injury from an action caused by a person, policy or lack or denial or services
-habeas corpus- this is when an inmate questions the legitimacy of his or her detention and the correctional agency must prove the legitimacy to the court
-civil rights violation- this is when a prisoner claims a federally protected right is violated
The supreme court - CORRECT ANSWER -the highest court in the US and has handed down landmark decisions that affect the CJS
-the supreme court has avoided decisions that directly impacted correctional facilities
-prison riots related to poor conditions of confinement led to the supreme court being more involved in upholding prisoners civil rights
The Prison Litigation Reform Act - CORRECT ANSWER -there was a time when inmates began to file multiple lawsuits, which placed an undue burden on the court system
-created limitations for those inmates with a prior history of filing suits that were frivolous [Show Less]