Two of Dr. Kirkham’s three degrees in the field of criminology involved an emphasis on the study of problems in custodial facilities. His master’s thesis, written while he was a counselor at Soledad State Prison, focused on sexual assaults by inmates. He has also personally experienced a major riot at one of the nation’s most violent prisons, during which his supervisor was murdered in a cellblock.
Dr. Kirkham has been called upon many times by both plaintiffs and defendants throughout the nation to evaluate and provide expert testimony in civil actions arising from incidents in jails and prisons. His criminology experience includes direct work in both prison and jail settings.
Dr. Kirkham’s litigation experience relative to jails and prisons includes the following subject areas:
Intake and screening of inmates
Classification procedures
Identifying and segregating potentially dangerous inmates from the “mainline” population
Safe transportation and supervision of inmates
Celling, housing, and assignment of inmates
Use of cell-extraction teams
Control of contraband in jails and prisons (e.g., narcotics, “shanks,” and other weapons)
Identification of and appropriate response to emotionally disturbed persons (EDPs)
Use of “safe cells” and restraint chairs
Negligent selection, retention, supervision, and training of custodial personnel
Use of force by custodial officers (including handcuffs, hogtying, chemical spray, batons, Tasers)
Escape prevention
Criteria for placement of inmates on work furlough programs
Prevention of sexual and physical assaults by inmates
Sexual harassment in jails and prisons
Prevention of inmate homicides
Suicide prevention in jails and prisons
Use of CCTV and acoustical monitoring in custodial facilities
Proper handling of medical emergencies (e.g., CPR, use of AEDs, and securing prompt medical assistance)
Institutional adjustment projections based on analysis of inmate criminal and custodial history
“Sudden death in custody syndrome,” positional asphyxia, and excited delirium in institutional settings
Written regulations and standard operating procedures in jails and prisons
Special issues involving female inmates
Jail and prison overcrowding
Indications for institutional transfers (e.g., closer custody or minimum security facilities)
Operation, supervision, and staffing of adjustment centers or disciplinary segregation units
Standards of professional organizations in the field of custodial institutions (e.g., American Correctional Association, National Commission on Correctional Health Care)