Direct Sup.

Direct Supervision Concept

Excerpt from the Operational Program, July 2, 2003, by David Bogard, P/BA

Perhaps the most salient guiding concept affecting both the design and operations of the Lincoln and Sagadahoc Counties Regional Jail is the decision to utilize the direct supervision management concept. The primary assumption is that the facility staff, not the inmates, must control the housing units. As such, the architecture and staffing patterns are built on the rule that officers must continuously and directly supervise inmates in order to prevent negative behavior and model positive behavior.

Direct supervision relies on the premise that one officer is in charge of a housing unit containing, in this case, a maximum of 54 inmates in single or double cells. The number of inmates is based on both the ability of one person to manage a group of inmates while also performing administrative and operational tasks required in the unit (e.g., conducting searches of the unit, documenting housing unit activities, etc.).

The housing officer is responsible for controlling the behavior of inmates in his/her unit, keeping negative behavior to a minimum by reducing tension, and encouraging positive interactions. To ensure that the officer retains control, challenges to the officer’s leadership must be dealt with quickly and effectively, and may result in the offending inmate’s removal from that unit to a higher custody classification.

The housing officer does not work alone, but as part of a team. The team consists of classification specialists, program staff and shift supervisors. Well-trained and motivated staff are essential to guarantee a professional, safe, consistent and positive approach to the operation of the new facility. Essential to the success of this facility is the relationship between staff and inmates at all levels. Communication should be open, honest, professional and collaborative. Interviews with existing staff suggest that the staff recognize the importance of effective communication with inmates. Direct supervision is the key to achieving this goal.

Operating a direct supervision facility improves the overall operation. However, the housing unit Officer is primarily the manager of a housing unit, and cannot leave his/her post to perform the duties outside of a housing unit. “Roving” staff, often referred to as Utility Officers, generally performs escort and other utility functions. Measures can be employed to avoid overloading the utility officers with unnecessary duties. These measures also benefit direct supervision because they support the notion of an inmate’s fundamental needs being met within the unit. These measures include allowing more unescorted movement to programs, services, and activities. The facility perimeter is secure; therefore, inmates who comply with the rules and regulations do not necessarily need to be escorted to all locations within the secure perimeter. On the other hand, inmates who would otherwise require escort to the various locations due to their high security risk or behavior, can instead have these services brought to the unit (e.g., books distributed by rolling cart).

Additional measures to increase staff efficiency include placing as many operations in the direct supervision housing unit as possible. For example, recreation yards will be designed so they are accessed directly from the housing unit. Telephones can be placed in the housing unit and access can be afforded to inmates for a longer period of time. These measures reduce the workload of the Utility Officer, which allows the facility operation to focus more on the safety and security components of the Regional Jail.

All staff, from the Jail Administrator to the recruit Officer, must diligently embrace the principles of direct supervision. Without this commitment, the general population unit will be difficult to manage, and may not yield the benefits found in direct supervision housing (e.g., safer, cleaner, quieter housing unit).