During a search, medical personnel should remove and replace bandages. If no medical personnel are available,______________.

In situations where medical personnel are not available during a search and there is a need to address bandages, having the inmate lift the bandage is important for a few reasons. First, it allows for a visual inspection of the injury to assess any potential complications, such as excessive bleeding or infection, which can be critical to the inmate's health and safety. Additionally, this action provides an opportunity for staff to determine whether further medical intervention is needed or if the area can simply be re-bandaged.

By involving the inmate in the process of lifting their own bandage, it follows protocols that respect the individual’s agency while ensuring that staff can safely complete the necessary assessments. It also keeps communication open between detention staff and the inmate, which may help in maintaining order and compliance during the search.

Not taking action, such as leaving the bandages untouched or skipping the search entirely, could lead to health risks for the individual and may not be compliant with health and safety policies. Meanwhile, notifying a supervisor might cause unnecessary delays in addressing any potential medical concerns during the search process. Therefore, having the inmate lift their bandage under secure conditions is the most proactive and responsible approach to ensure both safety and compliance with health standards in a detention setting.