In what situations are jail officers permitted to use force?

The use of force by jail officers is primarily justified in situations related to self-defense or to prevent a crime. This means that when a jail officer deems it necessary to protect themselves from harm or to stop an imminent offense that poses a risk to the safety and security of inmates or staff, they are permitted to use reasonable force.

In the context of maintaining order within a facility, preventing a crime can involve intervening in a situation before it escalates. For example, if an officer observes an inmate preparing to assault another inmate or staff member, they can take necessary measures to intervene and prevent the situation from escalating, thereby ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

While enforcing rules and maintaining discipline is a part of a jail officer's responsibilities, the force must be appropriate to the circumstances. The primary guiding principles in these tasks are safety, security, and order, which are best emphasized through the consideration of self-defense and crime prevention as justifications for the use of force.