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Lighting Enhances the Quality of Life, Safety, and Security of a Juvenile Facility (From State of Corrections: Proceedings of ACA Annual Conferences, 1989, P 182-185, 1990, Ann Dargis, ed. -- See NCJ-122583)

NCJ Number
122611
Author(s)
R N Kowalisyn
Date Published
1990
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A 1989 focus group on lighting brought juvenile corrections administrators together to identify major concerns relating to lighting in their facilities.
Abstract
The meeting took place during the American Correctional Association's 1989 Winter Conference. The participants confirmed that lighting has a direct impact on children's morale and affects the safety and security of a juvenile facility. In addition, bright, glaring lights have a negative impact on behavior. Thus, they felt that lighting levels need to vary depending on the tasks to be performed, the activity in the area, and the child's supervision need. Five major considerations should be addressed when choosing a lighting system. The lighting levels should be adequate, and the equipment should be reliable and durable. In addition, the system should be economically based on energy use, repairs, and maintenance. Other crucial factors are dependable, prompt replacement of parts at a reasonable cost and the availability of experienced engineering services in case of unusual problems. 15 references.