Security Guidelines Agreement

Anyone entering the security area of any San Mateo County Sheriff ‘s Office Correctional Facility (Maguire Correctional Facility or Maple Street Correctional Center) must read, sign and abide by the guidelines herein stated. These rules are enforced for the safety of inmates, staff and you.

1. Only the minimum items required to perform your job functions will be allowed. Personal items such as purses, (briefcases, etc.) shall be locked in your desk or locker. Volunteers are to bring only their car keys and proper identification into the facility. No weapons are allowed. No cameras or tape recorders are allowed unless for a specific purpose and with the approval of the Security Sergeant.
2. Obey immediately any request or order from Sheriff ’s Office personnel. There may be an emergency and the deputy/officer does not have time to explain.
3. The Sheriff ‘s Office has a “no hostage” policy. Should you be taken hostage, negotiations will be made in good faith for your release. We will not release inmates for hostages.
4. Do not wander within the facility. Go directly to your assigned area and at the time designated according to your job and/or contract agreement. No unscheduled visits to the facility will be permitted without prior knowledge and consent of the Security Sergeant.
5. Clearance Badges or those issued by the front counter reception must be worn and clearly visible at all times. Staff should be able to readily identify the bearer.
6. It is against the Sheriff ’s Office policy to engage in undue familiarity with inmates, their family or their friends. Conversations with inmates and their friends or family should be conducted in a courteous, business-like manner. You may not discuss your personal affairs nor the personal affairs of another employee with an inmate or within the hearing of an inmate. No contact or correspondence with any inmate or member of an inmate’s family is permitted except as required to fulfill your assigned duties. Do not divulge personal information, such as home address or home telephone number to an inmate. Do not discuss or divulge personal or case information pertaining to an inmate to others unless necessary for your job/volunteer duties.
7. It is imperative to distinguish your role as a program provider or volunteer from that of an inmate advocate. Your role in providing services in our correctional facilities does NOT include inmate advocacy across the criminal justice system. Only Legal Counsel, who acts as their primary advocate through the legal process, shall represent inmates under Sheriff ‘s Office care and custody.
8. Do not assist an inmate in the preparation of any legal document or offer any legal advice. Do not offer to write letters for inmates in order to influence the judges for sentencing purposes.
9. Do not barter, lend, sell, buy, borrow or otherwise engage in personal transactions with inmates. Do not directly or indirectly give to or receive from any inmate, friend or member of the family of any inmate, anything in the nature of a tip, gift or promise of a gift or payment for services. Do not bring in or remove from facility items or letters at the request of an inmate.
10. Do not develop any relationship with inmates, other than that which is necessary in the performance of your duties. Social contact with inmates is prohibited.
11. mmediately report to uniformed staff any observations of an inmate who exhibits a change in personality, unusual behavior, threatens suicide or makes physical threats towards other inmates or staff or wishes to report being a victim of a crime while incarcerated.
12. You are subject to search, by Sheriff ’s Office staff, while in the facility. Failure to comply with a search of your person and property will result in the immediate loss of your clearance pass. It could result in your arrest, criminal prosecution and/or termination of your employment if contraband is found. (Contraband is any item given to an inmate without prior approval of staff. Examples of contraband are cigarettes, matches, pens, pencils, safety pins, paper clips, money, emery board/nail file, gum, envelopes, notes from other inmates, etc.)
13. Immediately report any significant Law Enforcement contact or arrest to your immediate supervisor and the Administrative Lieutenant of the facility.