Agenda - 02-02-1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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, - . -• - :.:•,r7: , :,,,.. . -:•.. ■ .' , •:. . '..' .. :.. : . . ...., . RESOLUTION During the past several years, and nore particularly during the past few nonths, the Orange County Bar has noted the substantial efforts made by the County Commissioners to improve jail conditions in Orange County. We recognize the inordinate amount of time and energy that has been devoted towards correcting the deficiencies in the current jail and towards beginning construction of a . _ now facility, and appreciate the Commissioners' concern and work on this issue. ::,. ';'.,.• . Although we know that plans for a new facility have already been drawn up . .„ . , .. . and put out for bids, two problems have recently come to our attention which we ,. . - ... feel merit serious reconsideration of the current plans, even if this results in .. , , ; .. .... same delay in the beginning of construction. These problems relate to the amount of living space provided in each cell, and the need for an indoor exercise room. , • As we understand the current plans, they call for thirty-five (35) square feet of living space for each inmate in each one-person cP11. While this meets the bare minimum required under ourrent,NOrth Carolina regulations, it is sub- St2ntially less than the minimum required by many recognized correctional standards. For example, the American Correctional'.Association's Manual of Standards (1977) ..... . provides for a minimum of sixty (60), square feet peralgmate for inmates kept in the cell for less than ten hours adaY and eighty (2 square feet per inmate for those confined ten hours or more; the Federal Standards for Corrections recently adopted by the United States Department Of Justice also requires between sixty (60) and eighty (80) square feet per inmate; and the National Sheriff's Association Handbook on Jail Architecture requires seventy (70) square feet per prisoner. ... _. • Given the wide disparity between these standards and the minimum currently required in North Carolina, it is entirely possible that the North Carolina standards will be amended, leaving Orange County with a costly new jail that is rot in compliance with state regulations. More importantly, a civil rights action brought in federal court by prisoners held in the thirty-five (35) square foot . cells could result in a finding that the cell size is unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment and an order that the new jail be modified, at considerable public expense- In fact, these same potential problems recently caused the public officials in Catawba County to modify their plans for a new jail by substantially increasing the 0,...Juunt of cell-space per inmate. Similar concerns exist with regard to the lack of an indoor exercise room. The American Correctional Association Standards for Adult local Detention Facilities states that "indoor space should be provided for . . . a moderate amount of physical exercise throughout the year . . . . Exercise and recreation are essenf-ial to good hoAlth." Again, the failure to provide such a room may result in a new jail that is susceptible to a constitutional challenge and the expenditure of more money to renovate the facility than would be required to incorporate an exercise room into the original design. : . g - In light of these problems, the Orange County Bar Association respectfully requests that the Commissioners of Orange County: .-.' . . . , . • . .. ' . , - , . - , . ..... . . •