Corporal Punishment, Restraint and Seclusionary Time Out

Corporal punishment means the intentional infliction of physical pain upon the body of a minor child as a disciplinary measure.  Corporal punishment is strictly prohibited at Utah International under all circumstances.

Physical restraint means preventing a person from freely moving his arms, legs, body or head.

Physical restraint may be used by Utah International staff only under the following conditions:

  1. The student presents an immediate danger of harm to self or others, or of serious destruction of property.

  2. The staff member uses the least amount of force necessary to prevent the threatened harm, for the least amount of time (usually less than one minute).

  3. The restrain must end when the student is no longer an immediate danger to self or others or if the student is in severe distress.

  4. The restraint must never restrict the student’s airway or normal means of communicating.

  5. The restraint must never occur when the student is lying down, whether prone or supine.

Seclusionary time out means placing a student in a safe, enclosed area isolated from adults and peers, when the student is, or believes he will be, prevented from leaving the area.

Seclusionary time out may be used by Utah International staff only under the following conditions:

  1. The time out is imposed only when a student presents an immediate danger of harm to self or others, and is used to calm the student, not as a punishment.

  2. The door is not locked and the student is not physically prevented from leaving.

  3. The time out ends when the danger has passed, but never lasts more than 30 minutes.

  4. A staff member checks on the student every 5 minutes.

 Immediately following any incident in which seclusionary time out or physical restraint is required, staff must notify the student’s guardian and school administration and complete a written report.

Utah International staff will not use mechanical restraint.

Utah International staff will not use chemical restraint except as prescribed by a licensed physician for the treatment of a student’s medical or psychiatric condition.

Utah International staff will be regularly trained in safe methods of intervening in fights and other dangerous incidents involving students.

In case of violation or alleged violation of any of these policies by UI staff, the principal (or another person designated by the board if the principal is the violator) will conduct an investigation and apply sanctions as described in the Employee Handbook, up to termination of employment and reporting to the licensing board, as appropriate to the seriousness of the incident.  The employee may appeal any sanctions to the UI board.

Staff will follow the school’s behavior management plan to reduce the need for seclusion and physical restraint.