The jobs of the Special Needs Officers are a multi-disciplined position.
The officers who work as a Special Needs Officer have to have the desire to help
the severely and persistently mentally ill offenders. The Special Needs Officers
are chosen by their supervisors and peers, having the ability and the patience to
work in Special Needs housing. The Special Needs Officers also manage the
offenders who are on suicide watch and who have a higher risk of suicide while in
custody. The Special Needs Officers monitor and report significant behaviors,
and interface with the Medical staff, Mental Health staff, Classifications Officers,
and Administrative Officers.
Special Needs Officers seek out and receive training
to do their jobs better. The Special Needs Officers are CIT (Crisis Intervention
Team) trained by NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness). Special Needs
Officers seek out and receive extra training above and beyond their yearly law enforcement
training that will help them deal with the offenders they come in contact with.
The Special Needs Officers also work with the high profile offenders, the mentally
handicapped, and any other offender that is in need of assessment.
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