actions associated with an unexplained or unusual deviation from the individual prisoner's normal
behavior pattern. All personnel must be constantly on the alert for any change in the attitude or
behavior of prisoners and must take prompt action in the event any changes are noted. Some
problems which may motivate prisoners to attempt escape are--
a. Bad news from home. Death or illness of close relatives or financial difficulties is
motivation for escape. A change in a prisoner's attitude and character may be the result of
receiving bad news. Members of the staff who observe such changes should promptly document
the observation and report it to the facility commander for proper and necessary action.
b. Lack of news from home. Such lack may be noted by personnel who process mail and
must be reported to facility counselors, who in turn, must make efforts to resolve any problems.
c. Inexperienced or immature confinement facility staff. The confinement facility staff at
times may deliberately or unconsciously harass a prisoner by taunting or using insulting speech or
actions. This situation may be prevented or alleviated by careful supervision of the personnel who
come into contact with prisoners. The confinement facility staff should keep in mind that prisoners
are in confinement as punishment, not to be punished.
d. Physical or psychological urges. Prisoners who are (or have been) addicted to narcotics,
or who are chronic alcoholics, must be identified. Nervousness and/or irritability are symptoms of
narcotic or alcoholic cravings. Prisoners with these symptoms must be observed by the
confinement facility staff and reported to the facility commander for appropriate corrective action.
Frequently, professional treatment is required to alleviate the condition.
e. Monotony. Monotony or routine in a confinement facility can normally be overcome by
changes in the prisoner's correctional treatment program.
f. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the future as a result of actions such as a pending court-
martial or an administrative discharge can be alleviated through effective counselor interviews.
PART B - Escape and Apprehension Plan.
While each confinement facility is required to have an escape and apprehension plan, no two
facilities will have the same plan. Local situations will dictate the specific requirements and details
that must be incorporated into local operating procedures. The emergency plan for escapes must, at
a minimum, include the following:
1. A designation of who, by duty position, is responsible for the implementation of the plan and
for implementing alert signals for instructions.
2. A means for posting guards at critical points along the most probable routes of escape
outside the facility and at buildings or fences damaged as a result of the escape. Instructions on
methods of communication must also be included for the guards.
3. A method to determine the identity of the prisoners who have escaped (custody cards) and a
method to maintain custody of the remaining prisoners.
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