The
Cass County Correctional Facility is a direct supervision
type facility. Direct supervision was started
by the Federal Bureau of Prisons in the early 1970's.
The Contra Costa County Detention facility in Martinez
, California was one of the first Correctional Centers
to employ a direct supervision management style.
Direct Supervision has proven to be safer method of
managing inmate populations.
Direct
supervision places the Correctional Officers Station
within the inmate living area, or pod. By placing the
officer in the pod he or she has immediate visual observation
of inmates which allows the Officer to deal with problems
before they get out of hand. This results in creating
a safer environment for both staff and inmates since
interaction between inmates is constantly monitored.
In addition, Direct Supervision creates a more positive
environment and reduces stress level on both Officers
and Inmates. Maintenance costs are also reduced in Direct
Supervision pods because the close supervision reduces
the damage to equipment, furnishing, and walls.
Direct
Supervision makes inmates responsible for the quality
of their life during their jails sentence. Inmates who
demonstrate good behavior are assigned to lower security
levels with more privileges. Inmates who demonstrate
that they cannot follow the rules are assigned to higher
security levels with fewer privileges.
When
inmates are initially assigned to a housing unit, they
are given an orientation by their Housing Officer. During
this orientation, the basic ground rules and expected
behavior are explained to the inmate. The inmates are
presented with a choice: 1) Behave appropriately and
be housed in a relatively desirable general population
housing unit; or 2) Behave inappropriately, and spend
time in a highly structured, celled housing unit.
In
summary, direct supervision involves three important
aspects. First, the inmates are aware that they are
being constantly supervised. Second, they are aware
that if they create problems they will be quickly removed
to a higher custody pod having fewer privileges, such
as ability to come out of their cells. Third, they are
aware that the officer is backed up by a personal radio
alarm system and video monitoring.
Direct
supervision design is most relevant to the housing of
medium and minimum supervision inmates. These are inmates
who are not considered to be violent or disruptive in
the jail environment. This design is not usually employed
for the supervision of maximum custody inmates.
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