Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Corrections
Chapter DOC 347 - SECURED RESIDENTIAL CARE CENTERS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Subchapter I - General Provisions
Section DOC 347.04 - Definitions

(1) "Administrative confinement" means an involuntary non-punitive confinement of a youth because the youth's behavior presents a danger to others or poses a serious risk to facility security, including but not limited to escape, risk, or disturbance.

(2) "Assessment" means a process for identifying the risks, needs, and protective factors of youth by using an objective and validated assessment tool.

(3) "Body cavity search" means a manual inspection of the anal or vaginal cavity of a youth conducted by means of any instrument, apparatus, finger, or object.

(4) "Classification" means a process for determining the needs and requirements of those for whom confinement has been ordered and for assigning them to living units and programs according to their needs and existing resources.

(5) "Dayroom" means an area contiguous to each living unit that is usable and accessible by youth and designed and used for leisure activities but not for sleeping purposes.

(6) "Department" means the department of corrections.

(7) "Detention strength" means strong enough to resist damage youth could inflict and to maintain safety and security and prevent youth from harming themselves and others.

(8) "Direct supervision" means a method of youth management that ensures continuing direct contact between youth and staff by posting staff inside each living unit and other areas where youth are present.

(9) "Dormitory" means a room used for sleeping purposes and designed for occupancy by 3 or more persons.

(10) "Force" means intentional physical contact between staff and youth to overcome resistance or to compel youth to act or to refrain from acting in a particular way.

(11) "Health care assessment" means a process whereby an individual's health status is evaluated by a qualified health care professional through a physical examination, including questioning the patient about symptoms.

(12) "Holding room" means a secure room designed for holding one or more youth of the same gender for the purpose of processing admissions, releases, investigations, or court appearances, not to exceed 4 hours.

(13) "Informed consent" means the agreement of the youth to undergo a treatment, examination, or procedure after the youth understands the material facts about the treatment, examination, or procedure; its consequences and risks; the alternatives; and the prognosis if it is not undertaken.

(14) "Mechanical restraint" means any device attached to a youth's body that restricts freedom of movement or normal access to the youth's body.

(15) "Multipurpose room" means an activity area designed and used for programming and services. "Multipurpose room" does not include a sleeping room, dayroom, dormitory, classroom, visiting space, or recreation space.

(16) "Natural light" means direct or indirect illumination as provided by the sun or daylight.

(17) "Pat down search" means an inspection by running the hands over the clothed body of a youth by a staff member to determine whether the youth possesses contraband.

(18) "Privileged mail" means any written communication between a youth and an attorney.

(19) "Qualified health care professional" means a physician, physician assistant, nurse, nurse practitioner, dentist, mental health professional, and others who by virtue of their education, credentials, and experience are permitted by law to evaluate and care for patients.

(20) "Qualified mental health professional" means a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric social worker, psychiatric nurse, and others who by virtue of their education, credentials, and experience are permitted by law to evaluate and care for the mental health needs of patients.

(21) "Quiet space" means a specialized area designed for youth to provide sensory stimulation that helps facilitate relaxation and develop self-regulation routine to cope with stressful situations.

(22) "Receiving room" means a secure room designed and used as a sleeping room for one youth during admission, release, observation, or investigatory purposes, not to exceed 72 continuous hours.

(23) "Recreation space" means a room or an area in a facility that is dedicated for youth exercise and recreation.

(24) "Sally port" means a secure, controlled entryway to a facility.

(25) "Secure perimeter" means the secure outer boundaries of a secured residential care center for children and youth.

(26) "Secured residential care center for children and youth" or "facility" has the meaning given in s. 938.02(15g), Stats.

(27) "Security staff" means staff who are responsible for providing direct supervision of and interacting with youth in living units, recreational areas, dining areas, and other program areas of the facility.

(28) "Sleeping room" means a room designed and used as a sleeping room for one youth confined in a facility except when the facility meets the conditions for double occupancy under s. DOC 347.10(3) (b).

(29) "Social supporters" includes parents or guardians, foster parents, legal custodians, siblings, other family members, the parent of a youth's child, the youth's child, mentors, community-based service providers, educators, clergy members, and other caring and supportive individuals who are a reliable presence for the youth.

(30) "Strip search" means a search, as defined under s. 968.255(1) (b), Stats.

(31) "Trauma-informed care" means a system that realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery; recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in youth, social supporters, staff and others involved with the system; and responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures and practices; and seeks to actively resist re-traumatization.

(32) "Unencumbered space" means usable floor space that is not obstructed by furnishings or fixtures.

(33) "Youth" means any individual placed or transferred to a secured residential care center for children and youth under the provisions of s. 301.08, Stats., or ch. 938, Stats.