Which of the following is NOT a factor used to assess if force was excessive?

The assessment of whether force was excessive typically involves several critical factors that relate to the context and intent behind the use of force. One key factor is the intensity of involvement, which evaluates the level of threat posed by an inmate and the response necessary to manage that situation. Similarly, a good faith effort to restore discipline is crucial, as it involves considering whether the officer was acting with the intent to maintain order rather than to punish.

Malicious intent to inflict harm is also fundamental in assessing excessive force. If it is determined that an officer had the intention to cause injury, this would clearly indicate excessive use of force.

Offering the inmate an alternative, however, does not typically fall under the standard criteria for evaluating excessive force. This is because assessing whether force was excessive relies more on the circumstances and motives surrounding the force used rather than on actions taken before the force was applied. While offering alternatives may reflect an officer’s approach to de-escalation, it is not a factor used to measure the appropriateness of the force once it has already been applied. Thus, this choice does not align with the primary considerations that courts and oversight bodies examine during such assessments.