NCJ Number
110259
Journal
American Jails Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1988) Pages: 40,42,44,46,48,50,51
Date Published
1988
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This survey of new small jails (50 beds or less) opened between 1974 and 1984 identifies the nature and characteristics of the new facilities and the factors that have had the most influence on their successes and failures.
Abstract
Survey questions were grouped into clusters on such topics as facility background, staffing, operations, facilities, planning/transition, and related law enforcement operations and facilities. Findings indicate the facilities are an improvement over the past, but they have not universally adopted some of the recommendations for jail facilities advanced in the 1960's and 1970's. Partly as a result of this missed opportunity, many of the new facilities have experienced a recurrence of the operational and facility problems characteristic of earlier jails. This has been due to small jails' insulation from lawsuits that have forced change in other facilities as well as unfamiliarity with accreditation standards and the resources of agencies prepared to provide technical assistance. Among the recommendations offered by the jail operators who responded to the survey are that local officials visit other new jails, that planners seek input from jail operators, that compromises not be made on design and construction of jails, and that facilities be designed to accommodate future growth and change. 10 tables and 2 footnotes.