NCJ Number
77122
Date Published
1981
Length
53 pages
Annotation
Minimum standards for all local jails in Ohio, as promulgated in 1978 and revised in 1980 by the Bureau of Adult Detention Facilities and Services, are presented.
Abstract
The standards 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 apply to municipal jails which choose not to be full-service facilities. Separate standards have been promulgated for jails housing prisoners longer than 72 hours. Standards cover such aspects of jail operation as reception and release, classification, security, housing, sanitation, communication, visitation, telephone use, medical and food services, recreation, discipline, violations and penalties, staff, and grievance procedures. Under these guidelines, each jail is required to develop policies and procedures governing the reception, orientation, and release of prisoners. Reception of all commitments by proper authority requires documentation as prescribed by law. A booking and identification record shall be made of every commitment. The record must contain such information as time and date of commitment, name and alias, charge, race, sex, address, marital status, employer, next of kin, physician, and physical condition. All persons shall be entitled to complete telephone calls to an attorney and to one other person. A preliminary health evaluation shall be completed for all prisoners upon admission. All facilities shall develop written policies and procedures governing security aspects of jail operations. Each jail and the immediate grounds must be kept free of potential health and safety hazards. All building elements shall be structurally sound, clean, and in good repair. In addition, there must be a fire evacuation plan which includes provisions for adequate firefighting equipment. No limitation shall exist on the amount of incoming or outgoing first-class correspondence and secure visiting areas must be provided. Finally, contact visits shall be permitted at the discretion of the jail administrator. A glossary and two maps are provided with the standards.