Standard 9.22

Standard statement

The agency shall have a written directive which requires 24-hour supervision of detainees by agency staff, including a count of the detainee population at least once every shift, and establishes procedures to ensure that the detainee is visually observed by agency staff at least every thirty minutes.

Discussion

Twenty-four-hour supervision is essential for maintaining security and ensuring the safety and welfare of detainees. Supervision, as used in this standard, assumes agency staff is present in the same building that houses the holding facility and not at a remote location. One intent of this standard is to prohibit delegating supervision to a trustee. In addition to a count of the detainee population at least once every eight hours, other counts may be necessary prior to and following certain activities, such as night lockup, recreation, and meals. Care should be taken during physical checks that the detainee does not anticipate the appearance of agency staff. Detainees who are security risks should be under closer surveillance and require more frequent observation. This classification includes not only detainees who are violent but also those who are suicidal or mentally ill or demonstrate unusual or bizarre behavior. Legend: 118 Standards with Temporary holding and no Jail and agency NA’s Chapter 9 129 Standards with Jail and no Temporary holding and agency NA’s Chapter 8

The discussion clarifies intent and is not a binding part of the standard. For assessment purposes you are required to comply only with the standard statement.