NCJ Number
50678
Date Published
1977
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE EXPERIENCE OF TEXAS IN SETTING JAIL STANDARDS AND TRYING TO IMPLEMENT THEM IS DESCRIBED, AND SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR DEALING WITH JAIL PROBLEMS ARE OFFERED.
Abstract
JAIL STANDARDS ESTABLISHING CRITERIA FOR FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS OF TEXAS JAILS WERE FORMULATED IN 1957. FAILURE TO DELINEATE AND FUND ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES PREVENTED THE STANDARDS FROM EFFECTING SIGNIFICANT CHANGE, UNTIL THE PRESSURE OF LAW SUITS INITIATED UNDER FEDERAL COURT DECISIONS LED TO THE CREATION IN 1975 OF THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON JAIL STANDARDS. THE COMMISSION WAS ASSIGNED THE DUAL PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING MINIMUM STANDARDS AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE FOR IMPLEMENTING STANDARDS. ONE PROCEDURE INSTITUTED BY THE COMMISSION REQUIRES THAT ARCHITECTS SUBMIT PLANS FOR JAILS TO COMMISSION STAFF FOR APPROVAL, ALONG WITH A TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR OPERATIONS, SUPPLIED BY THE JAIL MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL. IT IS REQUIRED THAT JAILS PROVIDE FOR SEGREGATION OF INMATES, NOT ONLY ACCORDING TO SEX, BUT ACCORDING TO INMATE BEHAVIOR PATTERNS. ALSO, HIGHER PAY AND INCREASED AND MORE EFFECTIVE TRAINING ARE RECOMMENDED FOR THOSE WHO OPERATE JAILS. IT IS FURTHER ADVISED THAT THE JAIL POPULATION AT ANY GIVEN TIME COULD BE REDUCED THROUGH INCREASED EFFICIENCY IN COURT PROCESSING SUCH THAT PRETRIAL JAIL DETENTION TIME COULD BE REDUCED. LONG-RANGE COOPERATIVE PLANNING BETWEEN THE VARIOUS CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES IS SUGGESTED AS ESSENTIAL IN CONTROLLING THE MANY INFLUENCES THAT AFFECT THE QUALITY OF JAIL CONDITIONS AND SERVICES. REHABILITATION TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE INMATE AND ADEQUATE SECURITY TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM CRIMINAL THREATS ARE CITED AS THE MAJOR PRIORITIES OF JAIL OPERATIONS. (RCB)