37 Tex. Admin. Code § 253.1

Current through Reg. 49, No. 45; November 8, 2024

Section 253.1 - Definitions

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.

37 Tex. Admin. Code § 253.1

The provisions of this §253.1 adopted to be effective December 27, 1994, 19 TexReg 9879; amended to be effective May 3, 1995, 20 TexReg 2865; amended to be effective June 14, 1996, 21 TexReg 5001; amended to be effective March 14, 1999, 24 TexReg 1637; amended to be effective December 22, 1999, 24 TexReg 11516; amended to be effective April 10, 2013, 38 TexReg 2227; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 43, Number 34, August 24, 2018, TexReg 5539, eff. 8/26/2018; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 45, Number 51, December 18, 2020, TexReg 9230, eff. 12/22/2020