Corrections Community

Rick, I don't have statistics to respond to your question, but in doing a jail inspection a year or so ago, I was struck by the differerence in the quality and quantity of supervision between a direct supervision unit and an older jail that had multi-person tanks in a linear design where staff only saw what was going on when they walked down the corridor and looked into the window of each tank.  Even adding video surveillance to the tanks leaves them supervised only a fraction of the time that a direct supervision unit will be under the eye of a staff member.

 Bill Collins

Attorney at Law, Co-editor, Correctional Law Reporter

Mr. Bill Collins: Thank you for your helpful insite. Every bit of positive feedback on direct supervision is of benefit to us. Rick Mroz

Direct Supervision requires much more training for officers than the old model and it's doubtful that most agencies are that willing to invest in their employees. That being the case, the moral corruption of staff by inmates will drive those who could have been developed into being quality staff, out of Corrections in disgrace. Direct Supervision is not an all rosy picture. Without quality leadership at the top it is doomed to failure and when is the last time you saw quality leadership at the top?

Rick,  My county is just building a new 300 bed Direct Supervision facility.  With a grant we were able to tour direct supervision facilities in Shakopee, Red Wing and Rochester in  Minnesota; and Elkhorn, Wisconsin.  I was impressed with the quiet, calm housing in each facility.  I was able to work in a housing unit for a couple of hours at each facillity and was impressed in the professionalism that the Corrections Officers displayed.  Perhaps if you are able to download the directory of Direct Supervision facilities you would be able to contact some closest to you and view the difference.

Thank you for your thoughts and experiences with Direct Supervision. I have downloaded the 2006 Directory of Direct Supervision Jails. I have found the administrative contacts to be very helpful. Our Project Design Team was able to tour some Direct Supervision Jails in Washington State and came home with a wealth of information. It is our intention to follow your advise and actually work some Direct supervison units in Jails closer to home in the near future. Rick

Rick, the other point of contact that I wuld suggest to you is the Federal Detention Center Seatac, WA who uses the direct supervision model. Having worked there for a number of years I can tell you that it is a well managed facility. A point of contact for you would be the Captain who can be reached at 206-870-5700. Thanks.