Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Corrections
Chapter DOC 350 - Jails
Section DOC 350.05 - Physical environment for new or substantially remodeled jails
Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง DOC 350.05
Current through August 26, 2024
(1) APPLICABILITY. This section applies only to jails that are constructed or substantially remodeled on or after September 1, 2014.
(2) FURNITURE AND FIXTURES. Furniture and fixtures used in a jail shall be of detention strength materials and manufactured, sold, and installed by firms that specialize in detention equipment or ordered from a firm that will follow the specifications for detention strength equipment in this chapter, including all of the following:
(a) Benches.
(b) Bolts.
(c) Bunks.
(d) Ceilings.
(e) Clothing hooks.
(f) Contraband proof thresholds.
(g) Desks.
(h) Door pulls.
(i) Drinking fountains.
(j) Floor drains.
(k) Food passes.
(L) Glazing.
(m) Grills over vents and windows.
(n) Hinges.
(o) Key cabinets.
(p) Lights.
(q) Locking mechanism housings.
(r) Mirrors.
(s) Observation ports.
(t) Screws.
(u) Seats.
(v) Security doors.
(w) Security locks.
(x) Security screens.
(y) Shelves.
(z) Showers.
(za) Skylights.
(zb) Speaking ports.
(zc) Sprinkler heads.
(zd) Tables.
(ze) Toilets.
(zf) Urinals.
(zg) Walls.
(zh) Washbasins.
(zi) Windows.
(zj) Window and door frames.
(3) CELLS.
(a) This subsection applies to all cells
except receiving cells and holding rooms. Requirements for receiving cells are
specified under sub. (5), and requirements for holding rooms are specified
under sub. (7).
(b) Except if s.
DOC 350.20 applies, each cell shall be designed and used
only for single occupancy.
(c)
Except if s.
DOC 350.20 applies, each cell shall have a floor area of
at least 35 square feet of unencumbered space. The distance between the floor
and ceiling may not be less than 8 feet, and the distance between opposite
walls may not be less than 6 feet.
(d) Double cells shall have a floor area of
at least 25 square feet of unencumbered space per occupant. The distance
between the floor and ceiling may not be less than 8 feet, and the distance
between opposite walls may not be less than 6 feet.
(e) There shall be at least one shower or
bathtub in each area where cells are located. There shall be hot and cold
running water in the showers and bathtubs, and the hot water shall maintain a
minimum temperature of 110°F to the mixer. In this paragraph, "mixer" means
the part of the plumbing system that combines hot and cold water.
(f) All dayrooms, dormitories, and cellblocks
shall provide the occupants with access to natural light.
(g) Each cell shall have all of the
following:
1. A rigidly constructed metal bed
with the frame bracketed to the wall or bolted to the floor or a bed built in
masonry construction of a similar strength for each inmate.
2. A detention strength, metal,
institution-type washbasin and toilet. The washbasin and toilet may be combined
in one unit. The washbasin shall have hot and cold running water.
3. Detention strength light fixtures that
shall provide at least 10 foot-candles of illumination, 30 inches above the
floor. Lights shall have a dimming capability or there shall be a night light
to allow for comfortable sleeping.
4. A detention strength, metal,
institution-type mirror that is not removable.
(4) DAYROOMS.
(a) All dormitories and cells, except
receiving cells and holding rooms, shall be provided with one or more dayrooms
in their immediate vicinity that are accessible to inmates.
(b) Dayrooms shall provide a minimum of 35
square feet per inmate.
(c) Each
dayroom shall have detention strength tables and seating for the number of
occupants that have access to the dayroom.
(d) Illumination in dayrooms may not be less
than 10 foot-candles, 30 inches above the floor.
(5) RECEIVING CELLS.
(a) All receiving cells shall be designed and
used for single occupancy.
(b) Each
receiving cell shall have a floor area of at least 35 square feet of
unencumbered space. The distance between the floor and ceiling may not be less
than 8 feet, and the distance between opposite walls may not be less than 6
feet.
(c) Each receiving cell shall
have all of the following:
1. A rigidly
constructed metal bed with the frame bracketed to the wall or bolted to the
floor or a bed built in masonry construction of a similar strength.
2. A detention strength, metal,
institution-type washbasin and toilet. The washbasin and toilet may be combined
in one unit. The washbasin shall have hot and cold running water.
3. Detention strength light fixtures that
shall provide at least 10 foot-candles of illumination, 30 inches above the
floor. Lights shall have a dimming capability or there shall be a night light
to allow for comfortable sleeping.
(6) DORMITORIES.
(a) Inmates may be housed in dormitories if
the inmates are of the same security classification.
(b) Each dormitory shall have a minimum floor
area of 35 square feet of unencumbered space per occupant for sleeping
purposes. In addition, each shall have a minimum floor area of 35 square feet
for the purpose of a dayroom. Each dayroom shall have detention strength tables
and seating for the number of occupants. Each dormitory shall have a floor to
ceiling height of not less than 8 feet.
(c) A detention strength bed shall be
provided for each occupant of a dormitory.
(d) An area for personal property shall be
provided for each occupant of a dormitory.
(e) Dormitories shall be provided with
illumination of at least 10 foot-candles, 30 inches above the floor, and with
the ability to reduce lighting during sleeping hours to a level that is light
enough for security checks.
(f)
Each dormitory shall provide adequate showers or bathtubs, toilets, and
washbasins for the occupants. Each dormitory shall have hot and cold running
water, and the hot water shall maintain a minimum temperature of 110°F to
the mixer. In this paragraph, "mixer" means the part of the plumbing system
that combines hot and cold water.
(g) Dormitories shall be constructed of
materials of detention strength and shall be provided with detention strength
equipment.
(7) HOLDING ROOMS.
(a) Holding rooms are intended to be
used for admission, release, and investigative purposes. A holding room may not
be used as a cell, dormitory, or receiving cell. Holding rooms shall be located
in an area that allows continuous staff observation or electronic video
surveillance of inmates.
(b) Each
holding room shall contain detention strength, rigidly constructed seats or
benches bracketed to the wall or bolted to the floor or seats or benches of
masonry construction of a similar strength.
(c) A detention strength, institution-type
washbasin with hot and cold running water and toilet shall be
provided.
(d) A holding room shall
have a minimum floor area of at least 50 square feet with an additional 10
square feet for each occupant above five.
(8) COURT HOLDING ROOMS.
(a) Court holding rooms shall only be used
for courtroom purposes. A court holding room may not be used as a cell,
dormitory, or receiving cell. Supervision is subject to the requirements of s.
DOC 350.18 and ss.
302.41 and
302.42,
Stats.
(b) Court holding rooms may
be designed and used for multiple occupancy for inmates who are properly
segregated under ss.
938.209 and
302.36,
Stats.
(c) Each court holding room
shall contain detention strength, rigidly constructed seats or benches
bracketed to the wall or bolted to the floor or seats or benches of masonry
construction of a similar strength.
(d) A detention strength, institution-type
washbasin and toilet shall be provided.
(e) A court holding room shall have a floor
area of at least 50 square feet with an additional 10 square feet for each
occupant above five.
(9) MULTIPURPOSE ROOMS. Each jail shall provide multipurpose rooms for programming, education, or congregate assembly other than visiting. There shall be a minimum of one multipurpose room per every 100 inmates based on approved rated capacity. Each multipurpose room shall have a minimum floor area of 300 square feet.
(10) EXERCISE SPACE. Each jail shall provide dedicated exercise and recreation space. The space shall have a minimum of 300 square feet.
(11) EXTERIOR WINDOWS.
(a) This subsection applies to all windows
that lead to the exterior of the jail or to an area outside the secure
perimeter of the jail.
(b) All
exterior windows shall be translucent or shall be located to prevent persons
outside the secure perimeter of the jail from observing inmates within the
jail.
(c) Each exterior window that
has an opening in any direction in excess of 5 1/2 inches shall be covered with
security steel grills to prevent escape.
(d) If an exterior window is accessible to
inmates and opens, the window shall be mounted in a detention strength frame
and shall be covered on the inside with a 1,600 pound per lineal inch tensile
strength security screen of .047 mil. wire diameter to prevent the passage of
contraband.
(e) If an exterior
window is not accessible to inmates and opens, the window's security screen
need not meet the requirements of par. (d), but the screen shall have a tensile
strength of at least 800 pounds per lineal inch and shall be made of wire of at
least .028 mil. diameter.
(f) If an
exterior window does not open, whether or not it is accessible to inmates, the
security screen required under par. (d) or (e) may be omitted if the window is
mounted in a detention strength frame and the pane is security glass of
sufficient strength to resist breakage and prevent the passage of
contraband.
(12) Exterior approaches. The exterior of the jail and approaches to the jail shall be well lighted at night to permit observation of persons approaching the building.
(13) Walls.
(a) Walls on the exterior of the jail shall
be constructed of reinforced concrete or fully grouted concrete block at least
8 inches thick, or the walls shall be constructed of materials of similar
strength that provide equivalent security.
(b) Walls in the interior of the jail shall
be constructed of reinforced concrete or fully grouted concrete block at least
6 inches thick, or the walls shall be constructed of materials of similar
strength that provide equivalent security.
(c) Interior walls between cells and housing
units are to be constructed tight to the structure.
(14) Ceilings. Ceilings in areas accessible to inmates shall be constructed of high impact detention strength materials that are escape resistant, resist damage, and prevent passage of contraband.
(15) Doors and locks.
(a) Every door exit that leads to the
exterior of the jail or to an area outside the secure perimeter of the jail
shall have detention strength framing and a threshold designed to prevent the
introduction of contraband.
(b)
Every door entering into the secure perimeter of the jail shall be of detention
strength. Each of these doors shall have a vision panel or other means of
observation to permit identification of individuals before they enter an area
within the secure perimeter of the jail and to allow observation of an area
before entering it. If the vision panel has an opening in any direction in
excess of 5 1/2 inches, the opening shall be covered with detention strength
steel grills to prevent escape.
(c)
In multiple cell sections, other than receiving cell sections, the mechanical
means of emergency release may not be operated by key locks in the door or
cells. The mechanical means of emergency release shall be operated by remote
control located in an area not accessible to inmates.
(d) For receiving cells, the mechanical means
of emergency release may be operated by key locks in the doors of
cells.
(16) Access to controls. Inmates may not have access to plumbing, wiring, vents, thermostats, switches, or controls, except that inmates in dormitories may have limited access to operate lights, radios, and televisions.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Wisconsin may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
