Section 355.800 - Restraint DefinitionsThe following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless otherwise expressly defined within the chapter.
(1) Approved Mechanical Restraint Device--A professionally manufactured and commercially available mechanical device designed to aid in the restriction of a person's bodily movement. TJJD-approved mechanical restraint devices are limited to the following for non-secure correctional facilities: (A) Ankle Cuffs--A metal band designed to be fastened around the ankle to restrain free movement of the legs;(B) Handcuffs--Metal devices designed to be fastened around the wrist to restrain free movement of the hands and arms;(C) Plastic Cuffs--Plastic devices designed to be fastened around the wrists or legs to restrain free movement of hands, arms or legs;(D) Waist Belt--A cloth, leather, or metal band designed to be fastened around the waist used to secure the arms to the sides or front of the body; and(E) Wristlets--A cloth or leather band designed to be fastened around the wrist which may be secured to a waist belt.(2) Approved Personal Restraint Technique--A professionally trained, curriculum-based, and competency-based restraint technique that uses a person's physical exertion to completely or partially constrain another person's body movement without the use of mechanical restraints. Personal restraint techniques shall first be approved for use by TJJD.(3) Chemical Restraint--The application of a chemical agent on a resident or residents.(4) Mechanical Restraint--The application of an approved mechanical restraint device which restricts or aids in the restriction of the movement of the whole or a portion of an individual's body to control physical activity.(5) Non-Ambulatory Mechanical Restraint--A method of prohibiting a resident's ability to stand upright and walk with the use of a combination of approved mechanical restraint devices, cuffing techniques, and the subject's body positioning. The four-point restraint and a restraint chair are examples of non-ambulatory mechanical restraints.(6) Personal Restraint--The application of physical force alone, restricting the free movement of the whole body or a portion of an individual's body to control physical activity.(7) Physical Escort--Touching or holding a resident with a minimum use of force for the purpose of directing the resident's movement from one place to another. A physical escort is not considered a personal restraint.(8) Protective Devices--Professionally manufactured devices used for the protection of residents or staff that do not restrict the movement of a resident. Protective devices are not considered mechanical restraint devices.(9) Restraint--The application of an approved personal restraint technique, an approved mechanical restraint device, or a chemical restraint to an individual so as to restrict the individual's freedom of movement or to modify the individual's behavior.(10) Soft Restraints--Non-metallic wristlets and anklets used as stand-alone restraint devices. These devices are designed to reduce the incidence of skin, nerve, and muscle damage to the restrained subject's extremities.37 Tex. Admin. Code § 355.800
The provisions of this §355.800 adopted to be effective November 15, 2013, 38 TexReg 7973