NCJ Number
136402
Journal
American Jails Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (March/April 1992) Pages: 46-50
Date Published
1992
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Identifying the Arias v. Wainwright action in 1979 as the impetus for change in jail standards, this article describes both Florida's jail inspection process and the development of that process.
Abstract
The Florida Department of Corrections (DOC) remains under statutory obligation to vigorously inspect, regulate, and enforce jail standards; failure to comply will result in a reopening of the 1979 Arias case. Its challenge is to write standards appropriate for all Florida jails, both small and large and old and new. Despite battles with the Federal courts, monitors, regulators, and an insensitive and at times slow legislative body, the DOC has written standards in conjunction with the Association of Counties and the Florida Sheriffs' Association. The inspection process has improved and been responsible for change in the various jails, albeit at times through litigation. A 1991 study reaffirms the present jail regulations, that is, FAC 33-8, as a current and viable regulatory document.