Correctional Facility Standards

To establish minimum requirements for safe, sanitary, humane, and effective custodial operations.

Adequate accommodation, ventilation, lighting, sanitation, nutrition, potable water, healthcare, and protection from violence.

It supports air quality, reduces exposure to airborne contaminants, and helps maintain a healthier indoor environment.

It supports visibility, daily functioning, well-being, and appropriate living conditions.

To protect dignity, reduce harmful overcrowding, support hygiene, and facilitate safe institutional management.

Safe drinking water is essential for hydration, hygiene, sanitation, and prevention of waterborne illness.

To safely manage human waste, wastewater, and refuse while reducing environmental contamination and disease transmission.

They reduce accumulated dirt, pests, infectious hazards, and unsanitary conditions.

A coordinated approach combining sanitation, monitoring, exclusion, and appropriate pest-control methods to reduce infestation.

To identify contamination risks, unsafe handling practices, inadequate storage, and other food safety deficiencies.

The transfer of harmful microorganisms or contaminants from one food, surface, utensil, or person to another.

To protect health and provide appropriate nutrition in accordance with individual clinical needs and applicable requirements.

To identify malnutrition, dietary risks, and individual nutritional needs requiring appropriate intervention.

A condition in which the body loses more fluid than it takes in, potentially impairing normal physiological function.

Arrange prompt medical assessment and appropriate emergency care rather than treating the condition solely as a disciplinary matter.

The systematic identification, reporting, and monitoring of infectious diseases to support timely prevention and response.

Close contact, limited ventilation, inadequate sanitation, and difficulty isolating infectious cases can facilitate transmission.

To identify urgent health conditions, communicable disease concerns, medication needs, and risks requiring further assessment.

Measures that reduce the spread of infectious agents through hygiene, ventilation, cleaning, appropriate protective equipment, and clinical protocols.

Separating people who are infected or suspected of being infectious from others when clinically indicated and consistent with applicable safeguards.

Isolation separates people who are infected or suspected of being infectious, while quarantine restricts movement of people potentially exposed to an infectious disease.

Appropriate precautions depend on the disease, transmission route, exposure, individual health, and current public health recommendations.

To coordinate case identification, clinical assessment, infection control, communication, and continuity of essential services.

Vaccination can reduce the risk and severity of vaccine-preventable diseases among prisoners, staff, and surrounding communities.

It prevents avoidable interruption of medication, treatment, medical records, and necessary follow-up.

To protect personal health information while permitting lawful and necessary disclosures for care, safety, or other authorized purposes.

To provide appropriate accommodations, accessible services, and protection from discrimination consistent with applicable law.

An appropriate modification or adjustment that enables a person with a disability to access services and participate on an equitable basis, subject to applicable law.

They may require accessible routes, assistance, equipment, and individualized arrangements to evacuate safely.

To identify age-related medical, mobility, sensory, and functional needs requiring appropriate support.

Appropriate prenatal, childbirth, and postnatal care, suitable accommodation, and safeguards consistent with applicable law and clinical advice.

Environmental conditions, access to care, privacy, safety, and constructive activities can affect psychological well-being.

Arrange timely assessment by appropriately qualified healthcare or mental health personnel and take suitable immediate safety measures.

A coordinated approach involving identification of risk, timely assessment, appropriate observation, clinical care, and protective environmental measures.

To ensure they remain necessary, proportionate, clinically appropriate, and consistent with individual rights and safety.

The management of environmental conditions that affect the health and safety of people living or working in correctional facilities.

To separate waste according to its type and risk so that it can be handled, stored, treated, and disposed of safely.

Improper disposal can cause needlestick injuries, infection, and exposure to potentially hazardous materials.

A documented framework for anticipating, responding to, and recovering from emergencies affecting the facility and its occupants.

To identify hazards, vulnerable people, critical services, potential impacts, and measures that can reduce losses.

Preparation to maintain essential custodial, healthcare, communication, and administrative functions during disruptions.

To verify availability, condition, quantities, and readiness of essential supplies before they are needed.

To identify and correct defects that could compromise security, sanitation, accessibility, or the health and safety of occupants.

An evaluation of the population a facility can safely and appropriately accommodate given its physical space, staffing, services, and applicable standards.

Additional beds may not address deficiencies in sanitation, healthcare, ventilation, staffing, and safe living space.

Prompt clinical assessment, appropriate infection-control measures, public health coordination, and safe continuity of essential services.

Remove the obstruction promptly, restore safe access, and assess whether additional accessibility accommodations are required.

Inadequate water supply planning, contingency arrangements, and monitoring of an essential health and safety requirement.

Continuity of healthcare and coordinated transfer of treatment information and medication.

The facility's emergency preparedness and evacuation or sheltering procedures, including accountability, healthcare continuity, and coordination with appropriate authorities.