NCJ Number
209279
Date Published
December 2004
Length
313 pages
Annotation
This guide for jail administrators provides instruction on the role of the jail within the local criminal justice system, as well as practical information on jail operations, the evaluation of jail conditions, and the tasks of a new jail administrator in the first critical months on the job.
Abstract
Following a chapter on the role, purpose, and characteristics of the jail, a chapter focuses on the fundamental elements of jail administration, which are planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating the objectives and operations of the jail. A chapter on jail facilities addresses a range of issues that relate to the jail's physical plant and profiles the characteristics of facilities that contribute to effective jail operations. Chapters on specific responsibilities of the jail administrator address jail staffing and scheduling; staff recruiting, selection, and retention; staff training; jail security, safety, and emergency preparedness; inmate behavior management; inmate discipline and grievances; inmate services and programs; and jail intake and release. A chapter on "Getting Started on the Job" includes steps that new administrators can take to get to know the jail, understand how it operates, and identify any potential problem areas. It also describes how to develop an action plan that ensures priority issues are addressed in the first few months. The uniform format for each chapter consists of legal requirements and standards, topic sections, and recommended resources. 12 exhibits and appended recommended resources, a 63-item bibliography, and assessment checklists