NCJ Number
53080
Date Published
1977
Length
34 pages
Annotation
A NEW PREARRAIGNMENT DETENTION FACILITY IN DENVER, COLO., IS DESCRIBED AND ILLUSTRATED IN PHOTOGRAPHS.
Abstract
THE NEW FACILITY, WHICH IS PART OF A POLICE-COURT-JAIL COMPLEX THAT ALSO INCLUDES A NEW POLICE ADMINISTRATION FACILITY, WAS FUNDED IN PART BY THE LEAA-SUPPORTED JAIL WITHOUT BARS PROJECT. ONE GOAL OF THE NEW CONSTRUCTION WAS TO FACILITATE COMMUNICATION AMONG POLICE, COURTS, AND CITY CORRECTIONS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ENHANCING A SENSE OF AUTONOMY FOR EACH CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMPONENT AND ELIMINATING THE 'POLICE COURT' AND 'POLICE JAIL' STIGMA. THE NEW DETENTION FACILITY USES ITS EXTERIOR WALL AS THE BASIC SECURITY BARRIER, HAS NO STEEL BARS, USES NEW SECURITY MATERIALS AND DEVICES, PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL ROOMS FOR MOST DETAINEES, AND CONTAINS SEPARATE HOUSING CLUSTERS FOR MEN, WOMEN, AND JUVENILES. ONE PARTICULARLY INNOVATIVE FEATURE IS THE PRESENCE OF GLASS (ACTUALLY A SPECIAL PLASTIC) IN EXTERIOR SECURITY WALLS AND IN INMATES' ROOMS. THERE ARE PRIVATE ROOMS FOR 155 DETAINEES AND DORMITORY FACILITIES FOR 10. SERIOUS OFFENDERS CAN BE ISOLATED FROM LESS SERIOUS OFFENDERS, AND FIRST OFFENDERS FROM CAREER CRIMINALS. OTHER FEATURES INCLUDE A MEDICAL CENTER, A DETOXIFICATION ROOM, VISITATION CUBICLES AND INTERVIEWING ROOMS, AN IDENTIFICATION/CLASSIFICATION CENTER, A BONDING OFFICE, A LINEUP ROOM, AND SEVERAL VIDEO-MONITORED CELLS FOR MENTALLY OR EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED DETAINEES. PLANS TO MEASURE THE NEW FACILITY'S EFFECT ON RECIDIVISM ARE NOTED. FACTORS THAT ENTERED INTO THE DESIGN OF THE FACILITY ARE DISCUSSED. FLOOR PLANS AND COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)