NCJ Number
61916
Date Published
1978
Length
74 pages
Annotation
THIS STUDY OF PREARCHITECTURAL DETENTION, CORRECTIONS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IN BRANCH COUNTY, MICH., WAS FUNDED BY A GRANT FROM THE LEAA THROUGH THE MICHIGAN OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS.
Abstract
THE OVERALL GOAL OF THE STUDY WAS TO PROVIDE BRANCH COUNTY WITH AN EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS OF EXISTING AND LONG-TERM NEEDS FOR DETENTION, CORRECTIONS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES. THE POPULATION IN JAIL AT ANY GIVEN TIME INCLUDES PERSONS WHO ARE BEING HELD IN PRETRIAL DETENTION, PERSONS DETAINED AFTER CONVICTION, AND PERSONS HELD PRIOR TO SENTENCING. PERSONS WHO ARE DETAINED MUST BE HOUSED IN SAFE AND SECURE SETTINGS, AS ESTABLISHED BY COURT DECISIONS. CONGREGATE CELL AREAS USED FOR THE DETENTION OF PERSONS HOUSED FOR MORE THAN 8 HOURS DO NOT ADEQUATELY PROVIDE FOR THE SEPARATION OF DETAINEES AND DO NOT ALLOW ADEQUATE OBSERVATION OR SEPARATION OF PERSONS WITH SPECIAL PROBLEMS. THE SEGREGATION OF FEMALE DETAINEES FROM CONVICTED AND SENTENCED FEMALE OFFENDERS IS INADEQUATE, AS WELL AS PROVISIONS FOR THE SHORT-TERM DETENTION OF JUVENILES. ALTHOUGH MOST CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND JAIL STAFF ADEQUATELY HANDLE THEIR DETENTION DUTIES, WRITTEN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO JAIL STAFF. DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, EVALUATION, AND CLASSIFICATION OF DETAINEES ARE ALSO ABSENT FROM THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM. DETAINEES SUFFER FROM A LACK OF SPACE, POOR OR NONEXISTENT OBSERVATION CAPABILITIES, INADEQUATE SEPARATION OF DETENTION AREAS FROM OTHER AREAS, LACK OF A DIVERSE SET OF DETENTION AREAS TO ALLOW FOR THE SEGREGATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF DETAINEES, AND A BUILDING DESIGN THAT PRIMARILY RESPONDS TO THE GOAL OF PROVIDING MAXIMUM SECURITY DETENTION FOR ALL INMATES. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF JAIL STAFF TRAINING, PROCEDURES, AND PROGRAMS FOR DETAINEES ARE PROVIDED. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS ARE ALSO DESCRIBED, FOCUSING ON THE FEASIBILITY OF RENOVATION OF MECHANICAL AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN THE FACILITY; LIMITED, REMEDIAL RENOVATION OF THE CURRENT FACILITY; RENOVATION OF THE CURRENT FACILITY AND CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL SPACE ON-SITE; REPLACEMENT OF THE FACILITY ON THE CURRENT SITE; OR REPLACEMENT AND RELOCATION OF THE FACILITY. PROPOSED FLOOR PLANS AND COST ESTIMATES OF THESE FACILITY CHANGES ARE INCLUDED. ADDITIONAL DATA ARE PROVIDED. (DEP)