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Direct Supervision Jails

Direct supervision combines two key elements—physical plant design and an inmate management strategy—to significantly reduce the problem inmate behavior commonly seen in jails. Direct supervision jails focus on actively managing inmate behavior to produce a jail that is safe and secure for inmates, staff, and visitors.

Staff interact continuously with inmates in the housing units, actively supervising them to identify problems in their early stages. They use basic management techniques to prevent negative behavior and encourage positive behavior. Staff assume control of the jail and establish a professional supervisory relationship with inmates. There are no barriers separating staff and inmates in the housing units.

The physical plant is designed to support the management of inmate behavior by reducing physical barriers that impede staff-inmate interaction, by ensuring there are clear sightlines into all area of the housing units, and by incorporating design elements, fixtures, and furnishings that promote positive inmate behavior.

Direct Supervision Assistance

The NIC Jails Division is currently revamping its technical assistance and training related to direct supervision jails. In fiscal year 2012, the Jails Division will complete this work and will then offer a variety of services.

For jurisdictions considering building a direct supervision jail:
• Site visits to operating direct supervision jails.
For jurisdictions preparing to open a direct supervision jail:
• Revised training for line officers on how to run a direct supervision housing unit.
• Training for first-line supervisors on their role in implementing and sustaining direct supervision over time.
• Information for management staff on their role in implementing and sustaining direct supervision.
For operating direct supervision jails:
• Assistance in assessing and improving their implementation of direct supervision.

Featured Documents
Corrections Community

Recommended Reading

Date	Title	Type
2010	Direct Supervision Jails: The Role of the Administrator By Bogard, David; Hutchinson, Virginia A.; Persons, Vicci. National Institute of Corrections. Jails Division (Washington, DC). This guide provides jail administrators the necessary information they need to effectively perform their jobs. Chapters comprising this publication are: introduction; the jail administrator’s leadership role; recruiting, hiring, and promoting staff; training staff; supervising staff; determining the number of inmates one officer can supervise effectively; rotating housing unit staff assignments; ensuring that officers interact with inmates; addressing the isolation of the housing unit officer; d... Read More	84 p.
2005	How to Run a Direct Supervision Housing Unit: A Training Curriculum By Jacobsen, Vic; Reid, Tom. National Institute of Corrections. Jails Division (Longmont, CO). Minnesota Jail Resource Center (St. Paul, MN); Minnesota State Sheriffs' Association (St. Paul, MN). Developed for line staff, this 32-hour workshop covers 12 steps to effective inmate management. Segments include: Orientation to direct supervision The officer's role in the unit Principles of running a direct supervision housing unit Building flexibility in your leadership style Planning and organizing in the unit Managing differences in the unit Managing inmate behavior, and difficult situations & inmates Establishing yourself in the unit Ho... Read More	1 DVD (26 min.) + 1 CD
2004	Interpersonal Communications in the Correctional Setting: IPC National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC); National Juvenile Detention Association (Richard, KY). This basic communication skills training program, developed by Robert R. Carkhuff, has been used by correctional agencies for more than thirty-five years to train officers and counselors. Sessions contained in this course are: introduction to the IPC (interpersonal communication) model; the basics -- sizing up the situation; positioning; posturing; observing; listening; summary of the basics; the add-ons -- communicating to inmates; responding to inmates -- identifying content; responding to inm... Read More	2 computer disks; 1 DVD-ROM (100 min.) + 1 CD-ROM
2005	Jails in America: A Report on Podular Direct Supervision, Version 3.0 National Institute of Corrections. Jails Division (Longmont, CO). This video explains the strengths of podular/direct supervision. Subjects include: The three types of jail design and inmate management (i.e., linear/intermittent surveillance, podular/remote supervision, and podular/direct supervision); Benefits of direct supervision; The eight key principles of direct supervision; Inmate management strategies; Booking; Orientation; Classification; The day room; The housing unit; Disciplinary segregation housing; And inmate ... Read More	1 DVD (26 min.)
2011	National Jail Exchange National Institute of Corrections. Jails Division (Washington, DC); USIS/Labat, Inc. (McLean, VA). The National Jail Exchange is the journal for the NIC Jails Division. The mission of the National Jail Exchange is to promote and provide a vehicle for the free and open exchange of ideas, information, and innovation among jails professionals. Our belief is that, collectively, professionals are likely to have developed successful strategies to meet challenges that arise. Jails professionals and the local governments, states, communities, staff, and inmates they serve and represent benefit greatl... Read More	1 page
1993	Podular, Direct Supervision Jails: Information Packet National Institute of Corrections. Jails Division (Longmont, CO). Designed to give the reader an introduction to the concept, this collection of articles discusses the principles of podular, direct supervision and local detention's experience with it. Articles included are: "Direct Supervision of Correctional Institutions"; "Resolution -- Isolation of Staff from Inmates"; Special Focus On -- Comparison of Direct and Indirect Supervision Facilities"; and "New Generation Jails". ... Read More	57 p.
2004	Self-Audit Instrument for Administrators of Direct Supervision Jails: Based on the Measurable Elements of Direct Supervision By O'Toole, Michael A.; Nelson, W. Raymond; Liebert, Dennis R.; Keller, Kristin D.. National Institute of Corrections. Jails Division (Longmont, CO). The "necessary information, instruction, and tools to conduct self-audits that will indicate how well the concepts and principles of direct supervision are being implemented" are provided (p. 1.1). Sections comprising this manual are: introduction; the annotated principles of direct supervision; table -- measurable elements of direct supervision; instruction sheets; administrator/management/supervisory questionnaire; officer questionnaire; inmate questionnaire; document review questionnaire and ... Read More	219 p.
1996	Audits of Podular Direct-Supervision Jails By Farbstein, Jay; Liebert, Dennis; Sigurdson, Herbert. National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). Three facilities varying in size and region were audited to measure the state of the art in podular direct-supervision jails, to test how well direct supervision is performing, and to point out its strengths and challenges. Staff and inmates in facilities in Minnesota, Florida, and Massachusetts were surveyed on issues such as safety and security, effective supervision of inmates, classification, staffing and training, and design and environment. Findings are presented in detail by facility.... Read More	64 p.

Related Resources

Date	Title	Type
1993	Podular, Direct Supervision Jails: Information Packet National Institute of Corrections. Jails Division (Longmont, CO). Designed to give the reader an introduction to the concept, this collection of articles discusses the principles of podular, direct supervision and local detention's experience with it. Articles included are: "Direct Supervision of Correctional Institutions"; "Resolution -- Isolation of Staff from Inmates"; Special Focus On -- Comparison of Direct and Indirect Supervision Facilities"; and "New Generation Jails". ... Read More	57 p.
1988	Performance Appraisal in New Generation Jails: Model Performance Appraisal Processes and Forms and Training Materials for New Generation Jail Facilities By Manning, Don; Menke, Ben A.; Zupan, Linda L.. National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). Spokane County Sheriff's Office. Jail Division (Spokane, WA). The purpose of this grant was to develop an employee appraisal instrument and employee feedback process for direct supervision facilities. Includes bibliographies.... Read More	117 p.
1986	Proceedings of the First Annual Symposium on New Generation Jails By Farbstein, Jay; Werner, Richard. National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). National Institute of Corrections Jail Center (Boulder, CO); Symposium on New Generation Jails : 1st : 1986 (Seattle, WA). Topics discussed at the symposium include the design of new generation jails, the transition to new generation operation, the costs and benefits of direct supervision, and the operation of direct new generation jails.... Read More
1987	Direct Supervision Jails: Interviews with Administrators By Krauth, Barbara, ed.; Clem, Constance, ed.. National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). Library Information Specialists, Inc. (Boulder, CO); National Institute of Corrections Information Center (Boulder, CO). Details of the experiences of eleven jurisdictions in developing and operating direct supervision jails are presented in this report.... Read More	117 p.
1987	Pima County Detention Center: A Study of Podular Direct Supervision By Sigurdson, Herbert R.. National Institute of Corrections Jail Center (Boulder, CO). Training Associates, Inc. (La Mesa, CA). ... Read More
1987	Proceedings of the Second Annual Symposium on New Generation Jails By Wener, Richard; Farbstein, Jay. National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). National Institute of Corrections Jail Center (Boulder, CO); Symposium on New Generation Jails : 2nd : 1987 (Clearwater, FL). Alternate title: NIC 2nd annual symposium on new generation jails. A major theme occurring in several of the papers is the role of management in direct supervision.... Read More
1987	Larimer County Detention Center: A Study of Podular Direct Supervision By Sigurdson, Herbert R.. National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). Training Associates, Inc. (La Mesa, CA); National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC); Larimer County Sheriff's Dept. (Ft. Collins, CO). ... Read More
1989	Sifting the Gold from the Pebbles: Using Situational Interviews to Select Correctional Officers for New Generation Jails By Stohr-Gillmore, Mary K.; Stohr-Gillmore, Michael W.; Kistler, Nannette. National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). "This paper examines whether a critical incident, behaviorally-based situational interview process, helps New Generation Jail managers identify the requisite talents in prospective officers."--p. 1. This paper was presented at the annual meeting of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences in Washington D.C., April 1989. Includes bibliography.... Read More	32 p.
1989	A Comparison of "Direct" and "Indirect" Supervision Correctional Facilities: Final Report By Wener, Richard E.; Barker, Greg. National Institute of Corrections. Prisons Division (Washington, DC). Jay Farbstein and Associates (San Luis Obispo, CA). "This report describes a study that attempts to quantify the differences between direct and indirect supervision and to specify the design implications of each mode so that jurisdictions faced with changing or expanding their correctional programs will have a more sound basis for choosing between them."--p.I.1-1. Includes bibliography and attachments to final report.... Read More	192 p.
1995	Podular Direct Supervision Jails: 1995 Directory National Institute of Corrections. Jails Division (Longmont, CO); LIS, Inc. (Longmont, CO); National Institute of Corrections Information Center (Longmont, CO). This document was developed as a resource for those interested in the direct supervision concept of jail design and management. It will help readers locate direct supervision facilities that they may wish to study or contact, and provides basic information on the design, bedspace, and other aspects of the facilities listed. The three categories of jails covered are: podular direct supervision jails (both planned and operating), jails converted to direct supervision, and jails that have a combina... Read More	123 p.
1996	Audits of Podular Direct-Supervision Jails By Farbstein, Jay; Liebert, Dennis; Sigurdson, Herbert. National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). Three facilities varying in size and region were audited to measure the state of the art in podular direct-supervision jails, to test how well direct supervision is performing, and to point out its strengths and challenges. Staff and inmates in facilities in Minnesota, Florida, and Massachusetts were surveyed on issues such as safety and security, effective supervision of inmates, classification, staffing and training, and design and environment. Findings are presented in detail by facility.... Read More	64 p.
2001	2001 Directory of Direct Supervision Jails By Harding, B.G.. National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). LIS, Inc. (Longmont, CO); National Institute of Corrections Information Center (Longmont, CO); National Institute of Corrections. Jails Division (Longmont, CO). A directory of facilities that utilize the direct supervision concept of jail design and management is provided. Organized by state, entries provide the following information: facility name, address, description and status, year opened, contact person, facility capacity, direct supervision pod size, maximum inmates per officer, non-direct pods, direct supervision dormitory pods, disciplinary or high-security beds, and notes.... Read More	168 p.