Student Restraint & Seclusion
- Discipline Policies
Student Restraint & Seclusion
The OSSD BOT recognizes that staff may be called upon to intercede in situations wherein students may be displaying physically violent behavior MS Code § 37-9-69 and 37-11-57. The use of seclusion, excessive force, or cruel and unusual punishment is prohibited.
This policy in no way shall inhibit the right of staff to reasonable self-defense in accordance with the provisions if the 5th and 14th amendments to the Constitution of the United States, or the Constitution of Mississippi, nor negate the obligation of OSSD to provide a safe work environment.
In any situation in which a student is a danger to himself/herself or others, and it becomes necessary to contact law enforcement or emergency medical personnel, nothing in this policy guidance shall be construed to interfere with the duties of law enforcement or emergency medical personnel.
Restraint
Physical restraint is considered to be an emergency response after all other verbal and non-verbal de-escalation measures have failed. Any use of restraint will be preceded by the following de-escalation interventions:
- Order the student to desist in the behavior.
- Advise the student that they will be restrained if the behavior does not cease.
If the student is non-compliant with de-escalation interventions, the staff member should, if physically possible, apply any of the restraint techniques that have been approved by the Mississippi Department of Education, law enforcement agencies, or a form of restraint that is reasonable, prudent, and non-injurious. Staff is cautioned to use professional judgement as deemed by a reasonable person in responding to student altercations. Under absolutely no circumstances will restraint techniques be used as punishment. Staff may, however, use restraint techniques to control and restrain a student under the following conditions:
- The student is an imminent danger to himself/herself
- The student is an imminent danger to others
- To prevent the destruction of property
- To move a student who does not comply
In the event a student continues to be aggressive, violent, or belligerent while in physical restraint, security personnel may place the subject in mechanical restraints. Mechanical restraints will only be used by law enforcement. If conditions permit, the student may be advised that if mechanical restraints are used, appropriate charges will be filed and the student may be turned over to other local agencies for detainment. As soon as conditions permit, the mechanical restraints will be double locked so they will not inadvertently tighten. Restraint is to be applied until compliance is met and the student is no longer a danger. The student is to be removed from a public area immediately and an appropriate response to the incident should follow.
When using physical restraint for students, staff should take the precautions necessary to ensure the safety of the student and the staff members engaged in restraining the student.
- Physical restraints that restrict the flow of air are prohibited in all situations.
- The use of mechanical restraints is prohibited, except by law enforcement.
- The use of chemical restraints is prohibited.
The restraint shall be removed as soon as the student is no longer a danger to himself/herself or others, but shall be immediately removed at any point the student appears to be or claims to be in severe stress. When the student is able, he/she should be returned to the instructional activity, or to a less restrictive
environment.
environment.
Seclusion
Seclusion shall not be implemented in OSSD. Seclusion is defined as "the confinement of a student without supervision in an enclosure from which the student's egress is restricted." Seclusion does not include in-school suspension, time-out in the classroom or sensory room, detention, or alternative school.
Isolation
Trained OSSD personnel may use isolation to address a student's behavior if that behavior constitutes an emergency and isolation is necessary to protect a student or other person from imminent, serious physical harm after other less intrusive, less restrictive, non-physical interventions, or other alternative approaches have failed or been determined inappropriate. Only OSSD personnel trained in the use of restraint and isolation should be used to observe and monitor these students in person. Staff engaged in monitoring students shall have knowledge of effective restraint and isolation procedures, emergency procedures, and knowledge of how to effectively debrief students after the use of restraint or isolation.
The use of isolation occurs in a space that is physically isolated from common areas and from which the student is physically prevented from leaving. The room or space used for isolation my not be locked and 2 members of staff shall be present at all times to monitor the student. Isolation shall cease once the student regains control of his/her behavior. The room shall provide adequate lighting and ventilation.
Administrative Procedures
- All parents shall receive written information about the policies and procedures for restraint and isolation issued by OSSD. The adopted OSSD BOT policies shall be included in the student handbook.
- Parents or guardians shall be notified verbally or in writing on the day the restraint or isolation took place. In the event a parent cannot be reached by telephone, a letter shall be sent via email and standard mail informing the parent of the incident and the person who can be contacted at the school to address any questions the parent may have. At the time the parent is notified, the school will offer to schedule a debriefing with the parent to discuss the incident.
- A parent may submit a complaint regarding the physical restraint or isolation of their child to OSSD by following the policy KL-R Public Complaints.
For more information, see OSSD BOT Policy JCBA - Student Restraint & Seclusion.
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