(a) As used in this section, a custody assistant is a person who is a full-time employee, not a peace officer, employed by the county sheriff’s department who assists peace officer personnel in maintaining order and security in a custody detention, court detention, or station jail facility of the sheriff’s department. A custody assistant is responsible for maintaining custody of prisoners and performs tasks related to the operation of a local detention facility used for the detention of persons usually pending arraignment or upon court order either for their own safekeeping or for the specific purpose of serving a sentence therein. Custody assistants of the sheriff’s department shall be employees of, and under the authority of, the sheriff.
(b) A custody assistant has no right to carry or possess firearms in the performance of his or her prescribed duties.
(c) Each person described in this section as a custody assistant shall satisfactorily complete a training course specified by the sheriff’s department. In addition, each person designated as a custody assistant shall satisfactorily meet the minimum selection and training standards prescribed by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation pursuant to Section 6035.
(d) A custody assistant may use reasonable force in establishing and maintaining custody of persons housed at a local detention facility, court detention facility, or station jail facility.
(e) Custody assistants employed by the county sheriff’s department are authorized to perform the following additional duties in a custody facility, court detention facility, or station jail facility:
(1) Assist in supervising the conduct of inmates in sleeping quarters, during meals and bathing, at recreation, and on work assignments.
(2) Assist in overseeing the work of, and instructing, a group of inmates assigned to various operational, maintenance, or other rehabilitative activities.
(3) Assist in the operation of main or dormitory control booths.
(4) Assist in processing inmates for court appearances.
(5) Control, or assist in the monitoring and control of, access to attorney rooms and visiting areas.
(6) Fingerprint, photograph, or operate livescan machines with respect to inmates, or assist in the fingerprinting or photographing of inmates.
(7) Obtain criminal history information relating to an inmate including any warrant or other hold, and update classification or housing information relating to an inmate, as necessary.
(8) Interview inmates and review records related to the classification process to determine the appropriate security level for an inmate or the eligibility of an inmate for transfer to another facility.
(9) Ensure compliance of a custody facility, court detention facility, or station jail facility with the provisions of Title 15 of the California Code of Regulations, or with any other applicable legislative or judicial mandate.
(10) Assist in receiving and processing inmates in a sheriff’s station, court detention area, or type I jail facility.
(11) Secure inmates and their personal property and moneys as necessary in compliance with the rules and regulations of the sheriff’s department.
(12) Order, inspect, or serve meals to inmates.
(13) Maintain sanitary conditions within a custody facility, court detention facility, or station jail facility.
(14) Respond to public inquiries regarding any inmate.
(f) Notwithstanding any other law, nothing in this section shall be construed to confer any authority upon a custody assistant except while on duty, or to grant any additional retirement benefits to persons employed within this classification.
(g) This section shall apply only in a county of the first class, as established by Sections 28020 and 28022 of the Government Code, but shall not be operative in a county until adopted by resolution of the board of supervisors.
(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 468, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007. Applicable as provided in subd. (g).)
Last modified: October 25, 2018