NCJ Number
77214
Date Published
1981
Length
39 pages
Annotation
Minimum standards for all local jails in Ohio that house prisoners not longer than 4 hours are presented; standards were promulgated by the Bureau of Adult Detention Facilities and Services in accordance with State code requirements.
Abstract
The standards, which were developed in 1978 and revised in 1980, represent a consensus of professional opinion, based upon extensive research of legal requirements, existing standards, and practical experience. They are considered to be the minimum conditions necessary to ensure the safe, efficient, effective, and legal operation of a jail. The standards are intended to serve as a basis for evaluating Ohio jails both individually and collectively to promote improvement. Subject areas addressed in the standards include reception and release of offenders, classification, security, housing, sanitation and environmental conditions, and communication. Additional topics covered are visitation regulations, medical treatment, recreation and programs, discipline, greievance procedures, staff training, and ethical considerations. Each jail is required to develop policies and procedures governing the reception, orientation, and release of prisoners. A booking record is made of every commitment. The record must include time and date of commitment, name and alias, charge, authority ordering commitment, date of birth, race, sex, address, marital status, next of kin, employer, and medical condition. In 4-hour facilities, adult and juvenile and male and female prisoners are to be housed separately at all times. Each jail must develop written policies and procedures for ensuring the safe and sanitary conditions of the jail. Furthermore, all building elements must be structurally sound, clean, and in good repair, and every jail must have emergency medical treatment available on a 24-hour basis for all prisoners. Finally, each facility must establish and post a procedure whereby a prisoner may express a grievance to the facility administrator. A glossary is provided with the standards.