Md. Code Regs. 12.02.03.06

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 12.02.03.06 - Physical Characteristics of Facilities

A. General Requirements. All Community Adult Rehabilitation Centers meet the following physical standards:

(1) The facility shall comply with applicable fire, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, safety, health, building, housing and use laws, codes and ordinances and shall be maintained according to them. Documentation shall be available to establish compliance.

(2) More than 40 inmates may not be housed in a facility without physical separation into two distinct and separate housing units.

(3) The facility shall provide a minimum of 60 square feet per inmate in the sleeping quarters, and any furniture shall be arranged to provide some degree of privacy.

(4) The facility shall provide, at a minimum, one toilet for each eight inmates.

(5) The facility shall provide, at a minimum, one wash basin for each eight inmates.

(6) The facility shall provide, at a minimum, one shower or bathing facility for each 15 inmates. This shall include at least one bath tub or shower/tub combination, for each ten female inmates.

(7) All bedroom and bathroom areas shall be so designed as to maintain appropriate separation of male and female inmates.

(8) Outside access to and egress from a housing unit shall be controlled through a single main entrance/exit.

(9) Any exterior door, except the main entrance shall be considered a fire door, shall be locked to outside use, and shall be equipped with an alarm to sound when the door is opened from the inside.

(10) A dining area shall be provided and shall contain sufficient tables and chairs to seat at least one-third of the inmates at one time.

(11) The facility shall be maintained at a temperature above 65 degrees during the day and at least 62 degrees at night.

(12) The facility shall be well ventilated to insure that internal temperatures during summer months do not exceed outside temperatures by more than 10 degrees.

(13) The facility shall contain a secure room or rooms for temporarily holding:

(a) Inmates who may have incurred a mental problem and are displaying behavior which is threatening to themselves or others;

(b) Inmates who are potential escapees while awaiting serious disciplinary hearings; or

(c) Any other inmate while awaiting transfer to more appropriate confinement or care facility.

(14) Sufficient area for correctional programming shall be provided. This area shall be air conditioned, if feasible, and shall include, but not be limited to space for the following:

(a) Confidential interviews;

(b) Group counseling;

(c) Class room and quiet study;

(d) Meetings and classification.

(15) Artificial lighting should provide an intensity of illumination of 6 foot candles and be available to cover 25 percent of the floor area in each bedroom with at least 15 foot candles of local illumination for reading.

B. Requirements Governing New Construction. Any facility which is to be constructed as a community adult rehabilitation center shall meet the following additional physical standards. Existing buildings which are converted to community adult rehabilitation centers shall be exempted from these standards as long as any capital expenditures do not exceed 50 percent of the fair market value of the facility excluding land:

(1) More than three inmates may not sleep in one room;

(2) At least 20 percent of a facility's sleeping quarters shall be single rooms;

(3) The facility shall be comprised of one or more housing units and an administrative unit;

(4) A housing unit shall house no more than 40 inmates;

(5) A housing sub-unit shall house no more than 20 inmates;

(6) A housing unit shall contain a common living area of at least 300 square feet, which shall be furnished for leisure type activities and for visiting;

(7) A housing unit shall contain the following separate spaces to be shared by the sub-units:

(a) Television and noisy recreation;

(b) Confidential counseling;

(c) Storage;

(d) Supervisor's office;

(e) Staff offices;

(8) An administrative unit in a facility shall contain the following separate spaces to be shared by its housing units:

(a) Group visiting;

(b) Group recreation;

(c) Education/library;

(d) Administrative offices;

(e) Dining;

(f) Medical examining;

(g) Storage;

(h) Multi-purpose;

(i) Conference/hearing;

(j) Toilet;

(k) Parking.

Md. Code Regs. 12.02.03.06