Texas Administrative Code › Title 37 - PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS › Part 9 - TEXAS COMMISSION ON JAIL STANDARDS › Chapter 253 - DEFINITIONS › Section 253.1 - Definitions

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
The following words and terms, when used in this part, shall
				  have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates
				  otherwise.
(1) Administrative
				Separation--The assignment of an inmate to a special housing unit, usually a
				separation or single cell, when staff determines that such close custody is
				needed for the safety of inmates or staff, for the security of the facility, or
				to promote order in the facility.
(2) Allied Health Personnel--Licensed health
				professionals that are involved with the delivery of health-related services
				pertaining to the identification, evaluation, and prevention of diseases and
				disorders; dietary and nutrition services; and rehabilitation and health
				systems management.
(3)
				Capacity--The number of inmates a facility is authorized by the commission to
				house, excluding holding, detoxification, and violent cells.
(4) Commission--Texas Commission on Jail
				Standards.
(5) Control Area--The
				area inside the security perimeter to which inmates have only controlled
				access.
(6) Control Room--A
				secured, enclosed room which contains facility door controls, intercom panels
				and/or fire alarm panels.
(7)
				Correctional Facility--A facility operated by a county, a municipality, or a
				private vendor for the confinement of a person arrested for, charged with, or
				convicted of a criminal offense. May be referred to as "facility".
(8) County Jail--A facility operated by or
				for a county for the confinement of persons accused or convicted of an offense.
				May be referred to as a "jail" or "facility".
(9) Day Room--A space within or adjacent to
				single cells, multiple occupancy cells, and dormitories specifically for inmate
				day time activities.
(10)
				Detoxification Cell--A cell designed for the temporary holding of intoxicated
				persons.
(11) Direct
				Supervision--An inmate supervision management style in which a jailer(s) are
				stationed inside a housing unit 24 hours per day.
(12) Disabled--Persons who have a physical or
				mental impairment that substantially limits 1 or more of the major life
				activities of such individuals.
(13) Dormitory--A cell designed to
				accommodate 9 to 48 inmates.
(14)
				Existing Facility--A maximum security, lockup, or minimum security facility
				that was being operated as such on December 23, 1976.
(15) Jailer Station--A designated space from
				which a jailer performs his/her functions.
(16) High Risk--High-risk cells consist of
				areas where observation of 30 minutes or less is required.
(17) Holding Cell--A cell designed for the
				temporary holding of inmates not to exceed 48 hours.
(18) Inmate Housing Area--Cells and day rooms
				where inmates are assigned.
(19)
				Inmate Occupied Area--Any area in the facility normally occupied by
				inmates.
(20) Jailer--A person
				appointed or employed as a county jailer, under the provisions of Local
				Government Code §
									85.005;
				Government Code §
									511.0092; Occupations
				Code §
									1701.001(2).
(21) May--Permissive or optional.
(22) Multiple Occupancy Cell--A cell designed
				to accommodate two to eight inmates.
(23) Owner--A county commissioner's court,
				municipality, or private vendor who holds title to a facility.
(24) Safety Vestibule--An enclosed space,
				served by at least two doors, that serves as a passageway between two
				areas.
(25) Sally Port--A secured
				space inside or abutting a facility for vehicles to deliver or pick up inmates
				or goods.
(26) Security
				Perimeter--The outer limits of the facility where construction prevents egress
				by inmates or ingress by unauthorized persons or contraband.
(27) Separation Cell--A special purpose cell
				designed to accommodate 1 inmate. The cell minimally contains 1 bunk, mirror,
				toilet, lavatory, shower, table, and seat. This cell is used to house inmates
				requiring protection or whose behavior requires close supervision.
(28) Shall--Mandatory and required for
				compliance.
(29)
				Sheriff/Operator--County sheriff, jail administrator, or a person authorized to
				act with their authority.
(30)
				Should--Recommended but not required for compliance.
(31) Single Cell--A cell designed to
				accommodate 1 inmate. The cell minimally contains 1 bunk, toilet, lavatory,
				table and seat.
(32) Small Jail--A
				facility with a capacity of less than 50 inmates.
(33) Special Purpose Cell--Detoxification
				cell, holding cell, separation cell, violent cell, negative pressure cell and
				medical cells. These cells are not required to be provided with day rooms or
				safety vestibules.
(34) System--A
				combination of all facilities creating a functional unit.
(35) Violent Cell--A single occupancy padded
				cell for the temporary holding of inmates harmful to themselves and or
				others.
(36) Ward--An infirmary
				area holding a number of inmates.