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RECREATION IN THE LOCAL JAIL - A MODEL PROGRAM

NCJ Number
69174
Author(s)
C R HORMACHEA; M B GULAK
Date Published
1980
Length
97 pages
Annotation
STANDARDS FOR RECREATION IN LOCAL JAILS ARE SUGGESTED, AND FACILITIES- AND PROGRAM-PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES ARE DESCRIBED IN THIS CORRECTIONAL RECREATION PROJECT REPORT FROM VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY.
Abstract
THE STANDARDS INCLUDE (1) THE PROVISION OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR RECREATION AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL INMATES; (2) THE PROVISION OF TELEVISIONS, RADIOS, AND GAMES IN DAYROOMS OR CELLS; (3) AN ALLOWANCE OF A MINIMUM OF ONE HOUR PER DAY RECREATION ACTIVITY OUTSIDE THE CELL AREA AT LEAST FIVE DAYS A WEEK; (4) THE EMPLOYMENT OF A FULL-TIME RECREATION DIRECTOR FOR EACH FACILITY WITH A DESIGN CAPACITY OF OVER 200 INMATES; (5) THE TRAINING OF A STAFF MEMBER IN RECREATION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT IN SMALLER INSTITUTIONS; (6) VOLUNTARY INMATE PARTICIPATION IN A VARIETY OF ACTIVE AND PASSIVE ACTIVITIES; AND (7) THE ACCESS OF EACH INMATE TO A VARIETY OF READING MATERIALS. FACILITIES PLANNING IS COVERED THROUGH AN HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF RECREATION SPACE, A DESCRIPTION OF THE FACILITIES NEEDED, AND EXAMPLES OF HOW EXISTING FACILITIES CAN FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS. NEXT, A NUMBER OF RECREATION ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS ARE OUTLINED, AND BENEFITS, SUCH AS IMPROVING THE DECISIONMAKING CAPABILITIES OF INMATES AND TEACHING THEM HOW TO INTERACT WITH OTHERS, ARE REVIEWED. FINALLY, SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED FOR THE AREAS OF BUDGET, EQUIPMENT STORAGE AND CHECK-OUT, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, ADMINISTRATION, AND PROGRAM EVALUATION. THE PROJECT REPORT IS INTENDED FOR ADMINISTRATORS AND SHERIFFS WHO ARE PLANNING RECREATION PROGRAMS; DIAGRAMS, CHARTS, CHAPTER NOTES AND REFERENCES, AND AN APPENDIX CONTAINING SAMPLE INMATE RECREATION RECORDS ARE INCLUDED.