NCJ Number
138297
Journal
American Jails Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: (July/August 1992) Pages: 36-39
Date Published
1992
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article recounts Norfolk County's transition to a new jail.
Abstract
The Norfolk County Sheriff's Office and Correctional Center, operational on February 9, 1992, combines a 366-bed direct supervision jail with a 62-bed prerelease facility on 8.2 acres of land. A decision to implement direct supervision management guided physical design efforts. Inmates in this new jail are not in control Tensions and violence no longer are daily occurrences. Transition to direct supervision is a participative experience. To build the team requires the development of jail personnel, recruitment, and personnel evaluation systems. Once new correction officers receive indoctrination to the principles of direct supervision they seem ready to accept whatever faces them. Direct supervision is based on open lines of communication between administrators and staff personnel. The major point learned in Norfolk County is that line supervisors are essential to a successful transition. Success depends on commitment to task.