NCJ Number
182131
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 62 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2000 Pages: 106-110
Editor(s)
Susan L. Clayton
Date Published
April 2000
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Design considerations associated with correctional health care facilities are discussed with respect to security and efficiency issues and the provision of effective health care services.
Abstract
The team responsible for designing health care space in correctional facilities should include an architect, a security representative, a health services administrator, and appropriate clinical staff. This multi-disciplinary team should convene early in the planning process to provide meaningful advice and direction to the architect. In addition, the team should consider each function that will occur in the health care space, patient volume, staff workflow, and applicable security concerns. The team should also identify linkages between areas relative to frequency of access, control, movement, and supply. A combination of strategies is recommended to achieve quality of care, efficiency in service delivery, and safety and security. Specific design considerations are noted that concern acoustics, privacy, security, safety, hygiene, corridors and doors, storage space, key control, heating and ventilation, emergency electric power, female patients, and color and appearance. Space allocation is considered for examination rooms, computer space, pharmacy, medical records, administrative offices, and patient waiting rooms. Special-purpose areas are also covered, such as inpatient units, accommodations for elderly and terminally ill inmates, and dental clinic. Health aspects of nonclinical space that the design team should consider are examined.