823.3 Role of MoDOT work-release supervisor

The role of the MoDOT work-release supervisor in this program is crucial to its success. A good, trained employee should be firm, but fair, consistent, and objective. The following are lists of things every employee should and should not do. Please read this information carefully.

Trained MoDOT Employees Shall…

• Treat all inmates consistently, fairly and with respect; show no favoritism or prejudice. Remember – FIRM-FAIR-CONSISTENT
• Respect inmates' civil rights.
• Regularly review the inmate handbook and required training.
• Ensure all MoDOT work-release supervisors working around the inmates are informed of the inmate guidelines.
• Provide a safe working environment for all members of the work team.
• Seek help, if needed.
• Cooperate with MoDOC officials who stop by the work site for inspections, ask for proper identification from the MoDOC officials.
• Receive proper MoDOC training and be re-certified at least every year. Training should be listed in LMS under the proper Course Code. (MODOT_5087-1 MoDOT handbook INITIAL, MODOT_24589 RECERTIFICATION)
• Keep inmates separated from the public.
• Keep your personal items separate from inmate items. If you are not using the items, remove them from the work vehicle before the day begins.
• Keep up-to-date law enforcement, emergency, MoDOT and MoDOC phone numbers on hand.
• Ensure inmates follow the rules in the MoDOC inmate handbook and in this guide. Any infraction of these rules shall be reported on an inter-office communication (IOC) and turned in to the institution. A copy should be retained by employee’s supervisor for documentation purposes.
• Monitor any inmate using equipment to ensure the equipment is operated safely.
• Ensure you are not separated from the group with an inmate.
• Expect inmates to follow all your orders.
• Keep a daily log with count sheets, work activities, any unusual events such as inmates who do not follow orders, etc.
• Report to your immediate supervisor any inmates who do not follow orders.
• Report accidents requiring hospitalization, escape, weapons found by crew, or other critical unusual events to Central Office Maintenance Division. Please be certain to reach someone starting with the numbers at the front of this handbook.
• Report accurate and specific work locations to MoDOC as required.
• Keep detailed daily documentation of the following:

1. Accidents	5. Time in and out
2. Anything unusual	6. Training given to inmates
3. Disciplinary actions	7. Van checks and cleaning
4. Head counts	8. Work locations/times/activities

Trained MoDOT Employees Should…

• Be cautious of inmates trying to take advantage of MoDOT employees. Remember, these individuals are convicted felons.
• Expect the MoDOC program coordinators to make occasional unannounced visits to the worksite.
• Rotate crews whenever possible or change MoDOT supervision of inmates; change work locations frequently, if possible. Routines lead to problems. Don’t let your daily activities become too predictable.
• Be trained in CPR and First Aid. Always use barriers to protect yourself.
• Keep the inmate work crew in close proximity; the MoDOT work-release supervisor should always be able to verbally address all inmates.
• Make sure your orders are within reason, and do not compromise the safety of the work-release crew.
• Periodically check personal vehicles while working on MoDOT lots to be certain they are secured.
• Keep work activities a safe distance from MoDOT equipment with moving parts, i.e., PTO’s, hydraulic lifts, mowers, etc.

Trained MoDOT Employees Shall Not…

• Have any intentional physical contact with the inmates and ensure there is none between inmates.
• Stretch out work detail too far.
• Leave the boundaries of the district without approval.
• Leave the scheduled worksite as reported to MoDOC without notification.
• Oversee more than eight inmates, and no less than two, on a work crew.
• Tell inmates where they will be working on the following day.
• Get personally involved with an inmate that is currently working, or has worked, on an incarcerated crew; this is a conflict of interest and leads to problems.
• Discuss family, personal/ private matters, wages, other MoDOT employees, or MoDOC employees and their families with inmates.
• Get involved with the inmate's personal stories.
• Accept phone calls or personal contact from inmates at any time. If an inmate contacts you, contact your supervisor and the institution.
• Place phone calls or initiate any form of unauthorized communication with inmates, their families, or other acquaintances as any time.
• Leave anything personal like cell phone, billfold, driver’s license, etc. where inmates can see or take it.
• Accept anything or solicit any item or service from the inmates.
• Purchase anything for inmates.
• Give inmates anything, even as minor as a piece of gum.
• Allow inmates to not perform their assigned work tasks. If they don’t want to work, they go back to the institution.
• Allow inmates to stay in the transport vehicle, for any reason other than illness or injury.
• Give sick or hurt inmates anything other than what is in the first aid kit.
• Allow inmates to give orders to other inmates.
• Permit horseplay -- horseplay is a safety hazard and violators will be reported to the institution immediately and picked up by MoDOC personnel.
• Leave inmates unattended or allow inmates to enter a public place.
• Conduct MoDOT or personal phone calls to the point you are inattentive to the inmates or operation.

Trained MoDOT Employees Should Not…

• Work across traffic lanes from the transport vehicle.
• Become distracted from your primary task of watching the crew.
• Let a situation get out of control; trained employees must deal with any problems when they occur and keep their supervisor informed.

Using Inter-Office Communications (IOCs)

Trained employees should use IOCs to report anything to the institution. IOCs can be used to document both positive and negative information about an inmate. They may be on a standard form or letterhead or may simply be written on a piece of paper. A copy of the IOC should be kept (by immediate supervisor) for the MoDOT trained employee’s records. IOCs should be addressed to the functional unit manager (FUM) at the institution. Let the investigator determine if the incident reported is a concern or not. Refer any requests for recommendations or other documentation pertaining to individual inmates to the institution. Clearly and briefly state the incident being reported. Sign the IOC at bottom of statement.