Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 121 - Corrections Department
Chapter 2900 - NEW CORRECTIONS FACILITIES
Part 2900.0600 - CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS FOR SECURITY AREAS

Subpart 1. Cell, room, dormitory sizes.

Each maximum security cell, medium security cell, or detention room shall provide for at least 70 square feet of floor space within the cell or detention room.

Minimum security rooms shall provide a minimum of 50 square feet of floor space per prisoner when unrestricted access to exercise, dayroom, or program areas is permitted. Seventy square feet of floor space is required when such access is not permitted.

Dormitories shall provide three or more beds and a minimum of 60 square feet of floor space per prisoner within the dormitory exclusive of toilet and shower areas. Dormitories shall not be used in maximum security areas.

Subp. 2. Inspection corridors.

Each maximum security cell shall be located at least 44 inches away from an outside wall, separated from the wall with an inspection corridor.

A 44-inch inspection corridor providing visibility of medium security living areas shall be provided. Such corridor need not be between the exterior wall and prisoners.

Subp. 3. Access to outside windows or doors.

No area occupied by a maximum security prisoner which is unsupervised directly by staff shall have direct access to an outside window or door.

No area occupied by medium or minimum security prisoners which is unsupervised directly by staff shall have direct access to an outside door.

Subp. 4. Exterior and natural light orientation.

Maximum security cells or dayrooms and exercise areas shall have access to natural light through the 44-inch inspection corridor required under subpart 2.

Medium security cells or detention rooms and minimum security rooms shall be located either on an outside wall which provides a window for natural lighting or on a dayroom area which provides this condition.

Medium and minimum security dormitories shall be located on an outside wall which provides windows for natural lighting.

Subp. 5. Sally ports.

Each entrance to a maximum or medium security prisoner living area shall be provided with a sally port large enough to accommodate a stretcher with both gates or doors closed.

Subp. 6. Maintenance access to plumbing, heating, and light fixtures.

Maximum security cells shall be constructed to permit maintenance of plumbing, heating, and light fixtures from outside the prisoner area.

Subp. 7. Prisoner access to plumbing and heating fixtures.

Heat registers, thermostats, electrical outlets, and plumbing pipes shall be located out of the reach of maximum security prisoners.

Heat registers may be located in medium and minimum security areas but shall be protected by security screen. Electrical outlets may be located in medium and minimum security areas but shall have a shutoff switch outside the prisoner area. Thermostats shall be located outside of medium and minimum security areas with heat sensors provided in prisoner areas as necessary. Plumbing pipes shall not be exposed to medium security prisoners.

Subp. 8. Sewer lines.

Each sewer line shall be equipped with at least a two-inch cleanout plug located within 18 inches of each toilet and a shutoff valve on each water line located outside the prisoner area.

Subp. 9. Plumbing fixtures.

Plumbing fixtures used in maximum or medium security areas shall be either aluminum or stainless steel security fixtures.

Subp. 10. Abuse resistance.

All materials accessible to prisoners used in the construction of maximum security shall be capable of withstanding serious damage for a period of two hours, using that which is normally available within that area.

All materials accessible to prisoners used in the construction of medium security shall be capable of withstanding serious damage for a period of one hour, using that which is normally available within that area.

The design and furnishings of minimum security areas shall be developed with normalcy in mind, but in keeping with the design, purpose, classification, and use of the remainder of the facility.

Subp. 11. Locking devices.

Maximum security cell doors shall be equipped with locking devices that provide the capability to lock all doors either collectively or separately from outside the prisoner area.

Medium and minimum security cell, detention room, or dormitory doors may be equipped with locking devices that provide the capability to lock all doors either collectively or separately from outside the prisoner area.

Subp. 12. Vent openings.

Vent openings shall be no larger than seven inches of the diameter of a circle or 5-1/2 inches of a side of a rectangular opening.

Subp. 13. Grillage.

Grillage bars shall consist of tool resistant steel, a minimum of seven-eighths inch in diameter, spaced no more than six inches on center vertically with lateral bar supports 3/16 inch thick at least every 18 inches. Grillage shall not be used in minimum security areas.

Subp. 14. Glass.

All glass shall consist of polycarbonite and tempered glass combination materials, or bullet and heat resistant glass, which in either case shall be no less than one-half inch thick and greater as proportionately correlated in thickness with the overall size of the opening and the use. Architects shall verify state building code glass requirements in fire-resistive construction.

Subp. 15. Concrete walls, floors, and ceilings.

All concrete walls, floors, ceilings shall be prepared in accordance with the Manual of Standard Practice, Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute. All concrete shall be reinforced with intermediate grade steel meeting requirements of deformed billet-steel bars three-eighths inch in diameter for reinforced concrete ASTM A 615, Grade 60.

Mesh reinforcing shall be welded wire fabric reinforcing ASTM A 185 steel wire of size indicated and spot welded at intersections.

Placement of concrete shall be in accordance with ACI 304. Portland cement ASTM C 150 Type I shall be used for general concrete work. Fine aggregate ASTM C 33 100 percent passing of no. 4 sieve coarse aggregate ASTM C 33 three-fourths inch. Concrete mix design, 3,500 psi for general use, three inches maximum slump.

Subp. 16. Wall construction.

Subp. 17. Ceiling construction.

Subp. 18. Floor construction.

Maximum and medium security floors shall consist of one of the following:

Subp. 19. Door construction.

Maximum and medium security doors shall consist of one of the following:

Subp. 20. Window construction.

Maximum and medium security window construction shall consist of one of the following:

Subp. 21. Hardware.

All hardware used in maximum security areas shall be designed for maximum security use. All hardware in maximum and medium security areas shall be attached, using security type or tamper-proof fasteners that face away from the prisoner area. All electrically operated hardware shall provide for manually operated key override in an emergency. Electric hinges shall be equipped with concealed wires so that electric parts are not exposed after hinge is installed. All vent guards shall be constructed of tool-resistant steel, or the opening guarded by observable tool-resistant steel bars, meeting grillage specifications. Pipe chase doors or access panels shall consist of not less than one-eighth inch steel plate, locked with a security dead lock, or be of construction materials comparable to maximum security hollow metal steel doors. All hardware used in medium security areas shall be designed for medium security use.

Subp. 22. Medium security dormitories.

Medium security dormitories shall be equipped with one fixed bed per prisoner; one ceiling or wall light per two beds, covered with an abuse resistant lens; one toilet and modesty panel for each eight prisoners; one sink and abuse resistant mirror for each eight prisoners; one shower, minimum 36 inches by 36 inches, for each 15 prisoners; one abuse resistant eating table with seating benches that provide a minimum of three square feet of space per prisoner with capacity for each prisoner up to six, but no less than six in dormitories larger than capacity for six and no less than 60 per cent of the total capacity level, whichever is greater; one fixed dresser or wall locker per prisoner.

Subp. 23. Minimum security rooms.

Minimum security rooms shall be equipped with a bed, desk or table, clothes closet, mirror, ceiling or wall light, and chair. Minimum security rooms shall be located separate and apart from other areas of the facility requiring higher degrees of security, but within the overall security perimeter of the facility.

Dayroom areas of at least 40 square feet per one-half of the total minimum security capacity, but no less than 120 square feet shall be provided adjacent to the sleeping area and shall be equipped for a T.V., and with telephone jack, table, seating facilities, electrical outlets. All power supplies shall be controlled by staff from outside the prisoner area.

One toilet and modesty panel, sink, and mirror shall be provided for each eight prisoners and one shower, minimum 36 inches by 36 inches, shall be provided for each 15 prisoners, when not provided in the individual rooms.

Doors are not required to be equipped with dead lock or dead latching mechanisms.

Subp. 24. Minimum security dormitories.

Minimum security dormitories shall be equipped with the following items per prisoner: bed or bunk, wall locker or wall shelf and clothes hooks, mirror, dresser, chair, eating tables and chairs shall be provided to accommodate one-half the total capacity of the dormitory. Additional furnishings may be permitted such as divider panels, T.V. set, radio, lounge chair, and any other article which is normally used in residential living, but would not constitute a disproportionate security threat to the remainder of the facility.

Minimum security dormitories shall be located separate and apart from other areas of the facility requiring higher degrees of security, but within the overall security perimeter of the facility.

One toilet and modesty panel, sink, and mirror shall be provided for each eight prisoners and one shower, minimum 36 inches by 36 inches, shall be provided for each 15 prisoners. Such facilities may be adjacent to or apart from the dormitory proper, but must be within the immediate vicinity. Facilities may be gang type or individual when more than one is required. All privacy requirements found elsewhere in these standards apply.

Visiting shall be provided outside and apart from the dormitory area. When dayrooms are not provided, a room shall be provided for the visiting of minimum security prisoners. Such room may be the same as that provided other prisoners for privileged visiting, i.e., with attorneys, clergy, etc., providing it does not cause serious conflict in the maintenance of security for the remainder of the facility.

Doors are not required to be equipped with dead lock or dead latching mechanisms.