N.J. Admin. Code § 13:95-5.8

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 13:95-5.8 - Body cavity searches of juveniles

(a) A body cavity search shall not be conducted on a juvenile unless:

1. The highest ranking custody staff member on duty is satisfied that a reasonable suspicion exists that contraband will be found in the juvenile's body cavity; and

2. Approval for the specific search has been granted by the Superintendent or designee.

(b) In the event the highest ranking custody staff member on duty has reasonable suspicion to believe that contraband is being concealed in the juvenile's body cavity, the juvenile shall immediately be escorted to the infirmary or comparable facility of the secure facility and ordered to remove the contraband. The highest ranking custody staff member on duty shall advise the juvenile that medical assistance is available to the juvenile for removal of the contraband.

(c) The health care provider at the secure facility shall provide assistance to the juvenile under the following conditions:

1. The juvenile has requested assistance from the health care provider staff in order to remove the contraband from the juvenile's body cavity; or

2. If during or after removal of the contraband by the juvenile, the health care provider staff determines that the juvenile is in need of medical assistance, medical treatment shall be rendered to the juvenile unless the juvenile refuses such treatment.

(d) If the juvenile refuses to remove the contraband from his or her body cavity, the juvenile shall receive appropriate disciplinary charges and shall be:

1. Isolated and kept under constant visual surveillance until the contraband is eliminated from the juvenile's body cavity; or

2. Transported to an outside hospital or medical facility for removal of the contraband, if necessary for the well being of the juvenile, or the safe, secure and orderly operation of the secure facility. The health care provider staff at the secure facility shall make the necessary arrangements with the outside hospital or medical facility for any procedures that are necessary for the safe removal of the contraband.

(e) If the suspected contraband cannot be removed from the juvenile's body cavity without the use of force, a court order may be sought if the following circumstances exist:

1. The juvenile cannot be confined to a dry room until the contraband is eliminated from the juvenile's body, because the nature of the suspected contraband presents a safety or security risk to the juvenile, staff, other juveniles or the facility; or

2. Suspected contraband has been secreted in a juvenile's vaginal cavity, the juvenile has been confined to a dry room for a 48-hour time period, and the juvenile continues to refuse to remove the contraband with or without the assistance of a health care professional.

(f) Any request for a court order must be approved by the Executive Director or designee. If approval by the Executive Director or designee has been granted, the Superintendent or designee of the secure facility in which the juvenile is housed shall contact the Division of Law. The Superintendent or designee shall provide the assigned Deputy Attorney General with a sufficient factual basis for concluding that a court order is necessary, in accordance with the criteria in (e) above.

(g) The highest ranking custody staff member on duty at the time the cavity search was authorized shall prepare a written report of the results of the body cavity search. A copy of the report shall be made part of the juvenile's record, and a copy shall be submitted to the Superintendent or designee. The report shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following information:

1. A statement of facts indicating reasonable suspicion for the search;

2. The name of the custody staff member in charge who authorized the search;

3. The name(s) of the custody staff member(s), and any other persons, present during the search and the reason(s) for his or her presence;

4. The name(s) of the person(s) conducting the search;

5. An inventory of any item(s) found during the search; and

6. The reason(s) for use of force, if applicable.

(h) The secure facility health care providers shall document the medical assistance rendered or offered to the juvenile in the juvenile's medical record. The documentation shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

1. The name of the health care professional(s) providing medical assistance;

2. The names of all individuals present during the removal of the contraband;

3. An inventory of any item(s) removed from the juvenile's body cavity; and

4. A description of the medical assistance that was offered or provided to the juvenile.

(i) If the juvenile has been transported to an outside hospital or medical facility, the health care provider staff of the secure facility shall ensure that a report is made by the outside hospital or medical facility. This report, together with the report of the custody staff member in charge, shall be entered into the juvenile's medical record. The report from the hospital or medical facility health care provider staff shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

1. The name of any health care professional(s) providing medical assistance; and

2. A description of the medical procedures that were conducted.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:95-5.8