Direct Supervision Jails

Current Projects

Corrections Community

Supervision in a Direct Supervision Facility

Library Topics

Direct supervision

Direct supervision allows correctional officers to interact with inmates inside the housing unit to manage their behavior. Officers in intermittent or remote surveillance jails are less able to avert problem situations.

Key Elements of Direct Supervision

The housing design is podular - Inmates' cells are arranged around a common area (dayroom). There is no secure control booth for the officer or physical barriers between the officer and the inmates. The officer may have a desk or table for paperwork in the dayroom.
The inmate management style is direct supervision - An officer is stationed in the pod with the inmates. The officer moves about the pod and interacts with the inmates to manage their behavior.

Related Projects

Jail Administration
A wide variety of challenges are inherent in jail administration, and jail administrators need specific types of information and tools to manage their operations effectively. The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) Jails Division provides training, technical assistance, and information on the administration of jail functions.