77 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 14, § 006
All newly constructed and renovated community residential facilities shall conform to the following general conditions:
The facility's location facilitates access to and the use of community based services, resources, and public transportation.
Artificial lighting in all inmate living areas shall provide the capability of at least twenty (20) foot candles of light measured three feet above the floor. Artificial lighting in all work or study areas apart from inmate living areas shall provide the capability of at least fifty (50) foot candles measured three feet above the floor. Night lighting shall be provided which permits adequate visibility for supervision, but does not hinder restful sleep.
All inmate living areas shall provide visual access to natural light.
There shall be windows in dormitories with a capacity of ten or less which provide visual access to at least ten (10) square feet of clear glazed area to the exterior. In dormitories with a capacity of more than ten, the amount of clear glazed area required shall be increased by at least five (5) square feet for every ten (10) additional beds or fraction thereof.
In all renovated facilities, all living areas shall provide visual access to natural light. If windows are replaced as part of the renovation project, natural light requirements for new construction shall be applied.
Sustained noise levels within inmate occupied areas shall not average higher than seventy (70) decibels. Long, hard and non-textured surfaces should be avoided to reduce reverberation of sound.
Heating and cooling systems shall provide a comfortable and healthful living and working environment with temperatures maintained between sixty-five (65) and eighty (80) degrees Fahrenheit.
Ventilation systems shall insure circulation of fresh or purified air sufficient to draw off foul air or odors. A minimum of fifteen (15) cubic feet per minute interchange rate for each inmate is required for the facility's rated capacity.
Sufficient parking for visitors and official vehicles shall be provided on the site or through the availability of city street parking or public access parking lots located in the vicinity of the site.
A public lobby or waiting area shall be provided which includes sufficient seating, toilets and drinking fountains.
Sufficient space shall be provided for administrative and clerical personnel.
All facilities that directly admit and release inmates shall provide an area, adequate in size and properly equipped, to ensure the orderly and secure reception and discharge of inmates. It shall be located within the security perimeter away from the public, but apart from living and activity areas. It shall include the following components:
All facilities shall provide space for routine medical examinations, emergency first-aid, emergency equipment storage, secure medicine storage and dispensing, and sharps storage and disposal.
All facilities shall provide a sufficient number of interview areas, but no less than one (1), to accommodate the projected demand of visits by attorneys, counselors, ministers, or probation and parole officers. Interview areas shall be sufficient in size to accommodate four (4) persons and be acoustically private to satisfy the needs of confidential interviews.
In facilities where in-house food service is provided, the kitchen shall have adequate space available for food preparation, disposal, and clean-up to serve the facility at its rated capacity. It shall be properly equipped and have adequate storage space for the quantity of food prepared and served. Provisions shall be made for the secure storage of kitchen knives and other utensils.
All newly constructed facilities will provide at least one secure janitor's closet, a mop sink and sufficient space for secure storage of cleaning equipment. This area shall be located within the secure perimeter of the facility. A secure janitor's closet must be provided that is conveniently located.
In all facilities where in-house laundry service is provided, there shall be sufficient space available for heavy-duty or commercial type washer(s), dryer(s), soiled clothing storage, clean laundry storage and laundry supply storage.
In all facilities, there shall be one or more staff posts located in close proximity of inmate housing areas in order to respond promptly to emergencies.
The security area of all facilities should be equipped with an audio electronic surveillance and communication system designed to allow monitoring of activities and to allow inmates to communicate emergency needs to facility employees. Closed circuit television should primarily be used to verify identity of persons where direct vision is not possible. Closed circuit television shall not be used to monitor the interior of cell space and is not recommended for monitoring of dayroom or program space.
All newly constructed or renovated facilities shall provide an emergency source of power to supply electricity for entrance lighting, exit signs, circulation corridors, fire alarm, electrically operated locks and emergency ventilation equipment.
Each housing unit shall provide access to at least one (1) shower for each twelve (12) inmates or fraction thereof. Showers shall provide hot and cold or tempered running water.
Inmates' rights to privacy from unauthorized or degrading observation shall be protected without compromising the security and control of the facility. Privacy screening for all toilet and shower areas which still allows adequate supervision of inmates in those areas should be incorporated into the design.
Light, soft-toned washable paint shall be predominantly used for untiled walls and metalwork in the facility. Bright or dark toned accent walls or features are encouraged.
All locks and security hardware shall have the proper security value for the areas in which they are used. The use of padlocks in the place of a security lock on any door or window is prohibited.
77 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 14, § 006