Ohio Administrative Code
Title 5120:1 - Division of Parole and Community Services
Chapter 5120:1-8 - Full Service Jails
Section 5120:1-8-03 - Security

(1) (Essential) An established security perimeter.

(2) (Essential) In a minimum security jail, there shall be a defined, controlled security perimeter.

(3) (Essential) A secure booking and release area.

(4) (Essential) Temporary weapons storage lockers or other secure storage at each point of entrance to the jail's security perimeter.

(5) (Essential) If installed, closed circuit televisions that are operational and preclude the monitoring of shower, toilet and clothing exchange areas.

(6) (Essential) A two-way communications system between central control, staffed posts and inmate occupied areas.

(7) (Essential) Equipment necessary to maintain utilities, communications, security and fire protection in an emergency. Documentation supports that such equipment is tested quarterly and repaired or replaced as needed.

(1) (Important) Procedures govern availability, control inventory, storage, and use of firearms, less than lethal devices, and related security devices, and specify the level of authority required for their access and use. Chemical agents and electrical disablers are used only with the authorization of the jail administrator or designee. Access to storage areas is restricted to authorized persons and the storage space is located in an area separate and apart from inmate housing or activity areas.

(2) (Important) All inmates shall be searched whenever entering or leaving the jail's security perimeter to control contraband.

(3) (Important) Procedures and practices governing strip and body cavity searches following reception shall be developed and implemented in consultation with the county prosecutor, city attorney or law director consistent with section 2933.32 of the Revised Code.

(4) (Essential) There is a plan that guides the jail's response to emergencies. All jail personnel are trained in the implementation of the emergency plan. The emergency plan should include procedures to be followed in situations that threaten jail security.

(5) (Essential) The maintenance by staff of a log to record routine information, emergency situations and unusual incidents.

(6) (Essential) An official count shall be conducted to verify inmates' physical presence and identification. There shall be no less than three official counts daily, not to exceed nine hours in duration from the previous official count. The official counts will be reconciled. Jail staff conducting the count shall record the count.

(7) (Essential) Personal observation checks of inmates shall be conducted every sixty minutes on an irregular schedule. Observation checks shall be conducted at varying times and shall be documented after completion by the staff person performing the check.

(8) (Important) In jails that recognize special needs inmates, they shall develop their own policy to address the management of those inmates with special needs.

(9) (Essential) Inmates in physical restraints shall be personally checked by staff every ten minutes. The report of the use of physical restraints shall be reviewed and signed off by a non involved supervisor or higher ranking personnel. The use of physical restraints shall be reviewed for policy compliance by the jail administrator or designee.

(10) In regard to the use of force:

(11) Procedures guide searches of jails and inmates to control contraband.

(12) (Important) Inmate movement from one area to another is controlled by staff.

(13) (Important) The staff supervision and searching of inmate workers.

(14) (Important) No inmate shall be given control of or authority over any other inmate, security function or service activity.

(15) (Important) Same gender and cross gender supervision guidelines shall be provided in policy and procedure.

(16) (Important) Keys, tools and culinary equipment are inventoried and use is controlled.

(17) Toxic, corrosive and flammable substances and tools shall be:

(Important) Stored in a secure area and used by inmates only under direct supervision and used only in accordance with manufacturer's instruction. The substances are only accessible to authorized persons.