Direct supervision facilities tend to offer inmates more physical amenities, such as games tables, exercise equipment and access to controls for lights in their cells. Larger dayrooms are also more common. The larger living area helps normalize the environment and increases the likelihood that inmates will gravitate into smaller, more compatible groups. Many more are being planned, however. In Canada, the Unit Management model of offender management, of which the Correctional Service of Canada is a strong proponent, is based on the principles of the direct supervision approach.
Some institutions are hybrids of direct and indirect supervision facilities.
The distinguishing feature of direct supervision is the constant, interactive presence of the correctional officer in the living unit. This information was gathered through a mail survey of correctional administrators and through case studies of direct and indirect supervision prisons and jails. A detailed survey was sent to administrators of a sample of direct and indirect supervision institutions, including both prisons and jails. The survey collected descriptive information about the institution, its design and operations, as well as such attitudinal information as satisfaction with the facility, problems and staff duties. Institutions were selected to represent a variety of sizes, jurisdictions, security levels and regions.