NCJ Number
44240
Date Published
1977
Length
21 pages
Annotation
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WITH REGARD TO JAIL STANDARDS FOR PLANNING NEW FACILITIES OR EVALUATING EXISTING ONES ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
WHILE NOT ALL ISSUES ADDRESSED BY THE COURTS ARE INCLUDED, THE TOPICS OUTLINED HAVE DIRECT BEARING ON THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OF JAILS. TWO PRINCIPLES ARE OBSERVED IN THE DISCUSSION. FIRST, THROUGH A TOTAL SYSTEM PLANNING PROCESS WHICH FULLY ASSESSES THE POTENTIAL FOR ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION, BOTH CAPITAL AND INSTITUTIONAL OPERATING COSTS CAN BE SHARPLY AFFECTED; SECOND, DESIGN FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION CAN SHOW AWARENESS OF CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES SO THAT THE PUBLIC IS NOT REQUIRED TO SPEND FUNDS TO RENOVATE A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED FACILITY INTO COMPLIANCE WITH SUCH STANDARDS. THE STANDARDS DISCUSSED ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING AREAS: RECEPTION AND BOOKING; LIVING AREAS; WINDOWS; NOISE LEVEL; CELLS, LIGHTING, HEATING, AND COOLING; PROGRAM SUPPORT; EXTERIOR AREA; PROGRAMS; VISITING; TELEPHONE PRIVILEGES; FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND RELIGION; EXERCISE AND RECREATION; GENERAL LIBRARY; DISCIPLINE; AND SANITATION. A CONCLUDING SECTION PROVIDES A DETAILED EXAMINATION OF BUILDING COSTS. THE HIGH UNIT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRADITIONAL, AND NOW UNCONSTITUTIONAL, OVER-RELIANCE ON HARDWARE AND SECURITY CONTROLS ARE CONTRASTED WITH LOWER UNIT COSTS FOR THE KINDS OF CONSTRUCTION CALLED FOR BY CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT SAVINGS CAN BE REALIZED THROUGH LESS EXPENSIVE MATERIAL APPLICATIONS AND THAT DESIGN APPROACHES EMPHASIZE THE PROVISION OF SPACE FOR INMATE PROGRAMS.