NCJ Number
130277
Journal
American Jails Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (May/June 1991) Pages: 36-39
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Both the economics of construction materials and changing concepts of the responsibility of the jail professional have changed facility design markedly.
Abstract
To avoid a new generation of problems, the designs and materials used in modern facilities call for the conscious planning and design of operational features. Extensive planning of daily operations, staffing, and programmatic needs is essential before space needs, budgets, and floor plans can be determined. The detention professional must help architects acquire a better understanding of daily operations if planning is to be effective. Modern construction materials can isolate inmates from staff and can make it difficult to communicate with prisoner living areas; the design of modern facilities frequently restricts visibility into prison quarters. Some precautions are outlined to help those who are planning new facilities to prevent such problems.