What is an incident report used for?

• A. To detail incidents involving inmates and document the facts surrounding those incidents.
• B. To predict future incidents.
• C. To serve as a memo to colleagues only.
• D. To replace a full investigation.

Answer: (A)

An incident report is a formal, factual record used to document what happened during an incident, including who was involved, what occurred, when and where it happened, and the sequence of events as they unfolded. The goal is to capture objective details so staff can verify facts, support disciplinary actions or safety improvements, and serve as a reference for any investigations. It is not a tool for predicting future incidents, not merely a memo to colleagues, and it’s not a substitute for a full investigation.