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Better Design for Safer Detention on Death Row

NCJ Number
130632
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1991) Pages: 158,159
Author(s)
W A Stimson
Date Published
1991
Length
2 pages
Annotation
Florida's new death row facility at Union Correctional Institution, scheduled for completion next spring, is designed for maximum security and complete segregation of the inmates from the general prison population.
Abstract
The facility is a remote building that will function autonomously from the rest of the prison complex. The housing units will be comprised of six wings with two 28-cell floors and a secure outdoor exercise area located off each wing. Each cell will be equipped with lighting, toilet facilities, running water, a stainless steel combination lavatory/water closet, and a bunk welded to the wall. A footlocker will be used to store personal property. While in their cells, inmates will have no visual contact with one another, and they will not be able to communicate with anyone but the correctional officers walking the floor. Officers' security will be enhanced by a separate corridor system that provides distance between the inmates and staff. A visitation area will include rooms for contact and noncontact meetings and an area for inmate strip searches before and after visits. Attorney visitation spaces will be large enough for three to four people and will be located close to the entrance. The facility's security control will allow direct visual observation of all staff, visitors, and deliveries. It will also provide visual contact with each housing unit floor control point.