EMPLOYEE/OFFENDER INTERACTION Index #: 305.03

VI. PROCEDURES:

A. Employees shall conduct themselves in a professional manner when interacting with offenders.

When staff of the opposite gender enters an inmate housing unit, he/she shall announce his/her presence. Each Warden/Superintendent shall ensure that this language is provided in the applicable post order governing inmate housing, living quarters, etc.

B. It is the duty of each employee to correct all incarcerated offenders observed in violation of departmental rules and regulations in a fair, consistent, and impartial manner.

C. Conversation with offenders shall be respectful and limited to what is necessary as part of the employee’s duties. Inmate questions which cannot be answered shall be referred to the immediate supervisor. Offenders shall be addressed by name, rather than TDOC numbers.

D. Social relationships are prohibited, including but not limited to emotional, sexual, or romantic attachments with offenders in an institution, offenders on parole or probation, and former offenders who have been discharged from TDOC custody or probation/parole supervision for less than one year. Social media relationships are also excluded, such as Facebook, Twitter, and so forth, unless written approval is obtained as described in subsection (F) below.

E. Sexual contact between employees and offenders is prohibited and subject to administrative and criminal disciplinary sanctions. (See Policy #502.06) Any staff member convicted of an offense that constitutes a sexual offense or violent sexual offense as defined in TCA 40-39-202 will be placed on Tennessee’s sex offender registry.

F. Social relationships are also prohibited with relatives, family, and/or clearly identifiable close associates of such persons unless written approval is obtained from the Commissioner for Central Office employees, Wardens/Superintendents/District Directors for institutional, or Tennessee Correction Academy employees, District Directors for Community Supervision employees, or the Executive Director of TRICOR immediately upon establishment of such relationships. When an employee is related in any way to an offender and/or an offender’s relatives, the employee will report this fact to the Warden/Superintendent or Central Office Director upon employment or when the relationship becomes known to the employee. (See Policy #302.08 Employee Code of Conduct) Upon receipt of this information, the local manager and appropriate assistant commissioner will review and determine appropriate action to be taken.

G. Allegations of employee sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, sexual contact and/or sexual abuse shall be investigated in accordance with TDOC policies and Tennessee statutes. If the accusations are found meritorious, then the employee(s) shall be subject to disciplinary actions, up to and including termination, or appropriate actions where necessary, in accordance with Tennessee statute and TDOC policies. Consent on the part of an offender is not a defense on the part of the employee as a response to charges of any form of sexual misconduct. (See Policy #502.06)

H. An employee shall not trade, barter, or enter into any business transaction or maintain any business interaction with offenders or their families except as outlined in Policy #510.02, nor shall an employee carry, mail, pass, or throw contraband in or out of any correctional institution. An employee shall not donate items to offenders or their families without prior approval of the Warden/Superintendent.