81 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 15, § 006

Current through September 17, 2024
Section 81-15-006 - General Conditions

All newly constructed and renovated jail facilities shall conform to the following general conditions:

006.01Artificial Light

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.

006.02Natural Light

All inmate living areas shall provide visual access to natural light.

006.02ANew Construction, Cell Areas. In all new construction, there shall be a window in each cell which provides at least three (3) square feet of clear glazed area to the exterior or the cells shall open into a dayroom with windows which provide visual access to a clear glazed area to the exterior that is at least the equivalent of the amount required for all of the cells served by the dayroom.
006.02BNew Construction, Dormitories. 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.
006.02C A combination of windows and skylights may be utilized to meet the quantitative requirements for windows in living areas.
006.02DRenovation. 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.
006.02EWindow Design. Windows in housing areas of higher than minimum security that are directly accessible to inmates shall be of the detention type which have maximum of five (5) inches clear opening between framing members. Glass and glazing materials and window framing shall have the proper security values for the area in which they are used. All window framing in secure areas shall be properly anchored in reinforced walls.
006.03Acoustics

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.

006.04Heating and Cooling Systems

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.

006.05Ventilation Systems

Ventilation systems shall insure circulation of fresh or purified air sufficient to draw off foul air or odors. A minimum of ten (10) cubic feet per minute interchange rate for each inmate is required for the jail facility's rated capacity.

006.06Parking

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.

006.07Public Accommodations

A public lobby or waiting area shall be provided which includes sufficient seating, toilets and drinking fountains.

006.07A Public access to security and administrative work areas shall be restricted.
006.07B All public areas of the facility shall be accessible to handicapped persons.
006.08Administrative Areas

Sufficient space shall be provided for administrative and clerical personnel.

006.08A Locker space, toilets, showers, and dressing areas of the facility should be provided for facility employees.
006.08B An area should be provided for conference and staff training.
006.09Reception and Release Area

All jail facilities except for ancillary facilities where the reception and release function is not performed, shall provide a reception and release area which is adequate in size and properly equipped to insure the orderly and secure admission and release of inmates. It shall be located within the security perimeter away from the public, but apart from other inmate living and activity areas.

It shall include the following components:

006.09A Vehicular sallyport;
006.09B Weapons lockers located in the vehicular sallyport and outside entrances to the security perimeter of the facility. Weapons lockers shall be equipped with individual compartments, each with an individual lock and key;
006.09C Booking, photograph, fingerprint, and prisoner identification areas;
006.09D Space for breathalyzer;
006.09E Shower/strip search areas. Modesty screening shall be provided which would permit showering and dressing out inmates which are not strip searched;
006.09F Secure vault or storage space for inmate valuables. Also storage space sufficient to accommodate large items of inmates' personal property separately and securely shall be provided;
006.09G Space for storage and issue of clothing and sundries such as linens, blankets, soaps, toilet paper, towels, toiletries, shoes and possibly mattresses;
006.09H Telephone facilities;
006.09I One or more temporary holding cells shall be provided to temporarily detain inmates for up to eight (8) hours pending booking, court appearance, housing assignment, or release.
006.09I1 Temporary holding cells may be designed for multiple occupancy and shall provide at least twenty-five (25) square feet of floor space for each inmate at their rated capacity, but shall be no smaller than fifty (50) square feet.
006.09I2 Temporary holding cells shall be equipped with benches which provide sufficient seating to accommodate all persons at capacity, a high security toilet, wash basin with hot and cold running water, and drinking fountain. Modesty screening of toilet areas should be provided.
006.09J One or more detoxification cells shall be provided to temporarily detain intoxicated persons or other inmates who pose a danger to themselves or others.
006.09J1 Detoxification cells may be designed to house up to six (6) persons and shall provide at least twenty-five (25) square feet of floor space per inmate at their rated capacity, but shall be no smaller than fifty (50) square feet.
006.09J2 Detoxification cells shall be equipped with a high security toilet, wash basin with hot and cold running water, and drinking fountain, flushable floor drain and low benches. Modesty screening of toilet areas should be provided.
006.09J3 Detoxification cells shall be readily observable by staff.
006.10Medical Service

All jail facilities shall provide space for routine medical examinations, emergency first-aid, emergency equipment storage, and secure medicine storage and dispensing.

006.11Separate Housing

The design shall provide for the adequate separation of inmate classifications to be held in the facility as required in Chapter 5.003. The design should also provide for separate housing of work release inmates from the general population.

006.12Confidential Interview

All jail 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.

006.13Food Service

In jail 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.

006.14Janitor's closet

In all newly constructed detention facilities, at least one secure janitor's closet containing a mop sink and sufficient space for storage of cleaning supplies and equipment shall be provided within the security perimeter of the facility. In all renovated or holding facilities, a janitor's closet must be provided that is conveniently located.

006.15Laundry

In all jail 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.

006.16Staff Posts

In all jail facilities, there shall be one or more staff posts located in close proximity of inmate housing areas in order to hear and respond promptly to disturbances or calls for help.

006.16A At least one (1) staff post shall be provided on each floor of inmate housing.
006.16BControl Center. In all newly constructed detention facilities, one (1) staff post shall be a control center. The control center shall be designed to be secure from unauthorized access. Entrances to the security perimeter shall be controlled from the control center. The control center should be equipped with release switches to open all cell doors in the event of an emergency.
006.17Electronic Surveillance and Communication Systems

The security area of all jail 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.

006.18Emergency Power

All newly constructed jail 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.

006.19Shower Facilities

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.

006.20Inmate Privacy

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.

006.21Paint

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.

006.22Hardware

All locks and detention 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.

006.23Expansion Capability

Consideration of future expansion of bed space capacity and support areas should be given in the site selection and planning of new jail facilities.

81 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 15, § 006