NCJ Number
169344
Journal
American Jails Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Dated: (September/October 1995) Pages: 9,11-13
Date Published
1995
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Jail disaster plans need to address the possibility of natural disasters such as floods and tornadoes and should use a planning model that recognizes the four phases of the typical human reaction to such a disaster.
Abstract
The phases occur more or less in sequence. Each lasts longer than its predecessor. The phases include the immediate aftermath, the stocktaking, and rescue phase, and the long-term recovery and reconstruction process. The fire plan can serve as a model for responding to the natural disaster with respect to the issue of evacuation. However, evacuation becomes a much larger question in cases of disasters. the planning process needs to include a detailed exploration and documentation of means, details, and destinations for relocating the inmate population. The duration of temporary quarters is an important consideration. The process outline might cover the command center, emergency posts for staff, methods of communication onsite and offsite, prearrangements with judiciary and neighboring jurisdictions, distribution of the disaster response plan, staff training, reporting procedures for off-duty staff, storage of supplies, the reaction to nighttime and daytime disasters, and vehicles. Disaster response planning should be based on the recorded regional history. Conducting a tour can aid planners in developing scenarios for possible damage to the facility. The author is an architect who has served as a volunteer building inspector and has been involved in training and correctional projects. Photographs