Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 31 - Public Safety
Part 9 - REGULATION REGARDING THE LICENSURE OF JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITIES
Chapter 5 - Physical Plant, Environment, and Safety
Rule 31-9-5.3 - Sanitation

1. The facility shall comply with all local, state, and federal health and sanitation codes, and has documentation demonstrating such compliance.

2. Youth are encouraged, enabled, and expected to keep themselves, their rooms, and communal areas clean, but are not substitutes for professional janitorial staff.

3. Rooms, bathrooms, and common areas are clean and free of mold and debris.

4. Youth do not perform dangerous tasks (e.g., blood spill clean-up, floor stripping, use of hazardous chemicals, or roofing).

5. Youth do not perform housekeeping or other tasks that require them to miss school or interfere with normal sleeping hours.

6. The facility provides functioning toilets at a minimum ratio of at least one for every twelve youth in male units and one for every eight youth in female units. Urinals may be substituted for up to one-half of the toilets in male units. All housing units with five or more youth have a minimum of two toilets. Youth in "dry" rooms (without toilets) have immediate access to toilets. Immediate access per this regulation means no longer than a five (5) minute delay after a youth's request.

7. Youth have access to operable sinks with hot and cold running water in the housing units at a minimum ratio of one (1) basin for every twelve (12) youth.

8. Youth have access to operable showers with temperature-controlled hot and cold running water at a minimum ratio of one (1) shower for every eight (8) youth. Water for showers is thermostatically controlled to temperatures between 100- and 120-degrees Fahrenheit.

9. Facility shall be free of insect and/or rodent infestations.

10. Staff allow youth to take showers every day and allow youth an opportunity to groom themselves before court or any other important event (ie. visitation, funerals, meetings with counsel).

11. Staff allow youth to brush their teeth after breakfast and dinner.

12. Staff allow youth to wash their hands before meals and after activities that may cause the spread of germs.

13. Staff provide youth with clean underclothing and socks daily. Staff provide youth with clean outer clothing, except footwear, not less than twice a week.

14. Staff provide youth with clean bed linens at least once weekly. Staff provide youth with clean towels daily.

15. Staff disinfect mattresses after each youth moves out of the room, before the next youth occupies the room. Staff repair or remove from circulation any mattresses that cannot be properly disinfected. Staff also disinfect garment bags and other storage spaces that hold youth's personal clothes after each use.

16. In order to be utilized, furnishings must be in a condition appropriate for their expected use.