NCJ Number
124097
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 52 Issue: 3 Dated: (June 1990) Pages: 20,22,24,26
Date Published
1990
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Corrections professionals at Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation Department (Miami, Fla.) discuss jail building design, equipment, and the selection of appropriate management philosophy.
Abstract
The design of a corrections facility greatly influences what equipment can be used and what management philosophy should be applied and the degree to which staff/inmate interaction occurs. "First generation" jails use either a central corridor and/or catwalk design or a Y-shaped design to allow for minimal interaction and supervision through bars. In "second generation" jails, staff indirectly supervise inmates from a secure control booth surrounded by inmate housing; bars are replaced with security glass, and verbal interaction is still infrequent. "Third (new) generation" jails are designed to maximize interaction by placing staff inside the inmate housing unit. Any limitations in physical plant design can be compensated for with equipment. Computers have become more widespread in the corrections field and help in administrative functions. There are also radios with a variety of officer distress features, closed-circuit television cameras and monitors, audio surveillance and intercom systems, and VCR systems. Dade County has an inmate television system that transmits special programs to each cell, electronic bracelets to divert some offenders into a house arrest environment, and ultraviolet ink and readers or black lights to identify legitimate patrons. The authors claim that Dade County has been able to cope with the ever-increasing jail crowding in large part because of the efforts of enlightened administrators.