NCJ Number
112282
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 50 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1988) Pages: 150,152,154
Date Published
1988
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A questionnaire survey with telephone followup investigated the use of protective custody in 64 jurisdictions in the United States and Canada.
Abstract
Respondents reported 13,456 protection units, in which inmates are segregated from the general inmate population, but allowed to mingle among themselves; and 4,481 lockups (single or double bunk). The highest overall protective custody rates were reported by West Virginia, New Hampshire, Guam, and the Correctional Service of Canada. Lowest rates were reported by New Brunswick, Wisconsin, Vermont, and North Carolina. The mean jurisdictional protective custody count was 285, with a mean rate of 4.3 percent. Half of responding jurisdictions reported that protective custody and administrative segregation were separate at all institutions where both exist. The primary means for minimizing the use of protective custody was inmate transfer. Increases in the protective custody population since 1980 were reported by 76 percent of respondents. Over half of the jurisdictions noted that most protective custody requests are granted and that it is difficult to know what proportion of expressed fears are valid. In addition to inmate transfers to reduce the protective custody population, some respondents noted that a more judicious system of housing assignments could reduce demand. This strategy is being tested in Missouri. 1 table and photographs.