U.S. Department of Justice

Direct Supervision Jails

Direct supervision combines two key elements—physical plant design and an inmate management strategy—to significantly reduce the problem inmate behavior commonly seen in jails. Direct supervision jails focus on actively managing inmate behavior to produce a jail that is safe and secure for inmates, staff, and visitors.

Staff interact continuously with inmates in the housing units, actively supervising them to identify problems in their early stages. They use basic management techniques to prevent negative behavior and encourage positive behavior. Staff assume control of the jail and establish a professional supervisory relationship with inmates. There are no barriers separating staff and inmates in the housing units.

The physical plant is designed to support the management of inmate behavior by reducing physical barriers that impede staff-inmate interaction, by ensuring there are clear sightlines into all area of the housing units, and by incorporating design elements, fixtures, and furnishings that promote positive inmate behavior.

Direct Supervision Assistance




The NIC Jails Division is currently revamping its technical assistance and training related to direct supervision jails. In fiscal year 2012, the Jails Division will complete this work and will then offer a variety of services.


  • For jurisdictions considering building a direct supervision jail:

    • Site visits to operating direct supervision jails.

  • For jurisdictions preparing to open a direct supervision jail:

    • Revised training for line officers on how to run a direct supervision housing unit.
    • Training for first-line supervisors on their role in implementing and sustaining direct supervision over time.
    • Information for management staff on their role in implementing and sustaining direct supervision.

  • For operating direct supervision jails:

    • Assistance in assessing and improving their implementation of direct supervision.



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Recommended Reading

Date Title Type
2010

NIC Publication
This guide provides jail administrators the necessary information they need to effectively perform their jobs. Chapters comprising this publication are: introduction; the jail administrator’s leadership role; recruiting, hiring, and promoting staff; ... Read More
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2005

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Developed for line staff, this 32-hour workshop covers 12 steps to effective inmate management. Segments include: introduction, orientation to direct supervision, officer role in the unit: influencing behavior, principles of running a direct supervis... Read More
2004

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A training program explaining the basic communication skills model which has been used by correctional agencies for more than thirty-five years to train officers and counselors. . . developed by Robert R. Carkhuff is presented (p.i). Sessions contain... Read More
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2005

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The strengths of podular/direct supervision are explained. This video provides information regarding: the three types of jail design and inmate management (i.e., linear/intermittent surveillance, podular/remote supervision, and podular/direct superv... Read More
2011

NIC Publication
The National Jail Exchange is the journal for the NIC Jails Division. The mission of the National Jail Exchange is to promote and provide a vehicle for the free and open exchange of ideas, information, and innovation among jails professionals. Our be... Read More
WEB
1993

NIC Publication
Designed to give the reader an introduction to the concept, this collection of articles discusses the principles of podular, direct supervision and local detention's experience with it. Articles included are: "Direct Supervision of Correctional Insti... Read More
PDF
2004

NIC Publication
The "necessary information, instruction, and tools to conduct self-audits that will indicate how well the concepts and principles of direct supervision are being implemented" are provided (p. 1.1). Sections comprising this manual are: introduction; t... Read More
PDF
1996

NIC Publication
Three facilities varying in size and region were audited to measure the state of the art in podular direct-supervision jails, to test how well direct supervision is performing, and to point out its strengths and challenges. Staff and inmates in facil... Read More
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Related Resources

Date Title Type
1993

NIC Publication
Designed to give the reader an introduction to the concept, this collection of articles discusses the principles of podular, direct supervision and local detention's experience with it. Articles included are: "Direct Supervision of Correctional Insti... Read More
PDF
1988

NIC Publication
The purpose of this grant was to develop an employee appraisal instrument and employee feedback process for direct supervision facilities. Includes bibliographies.... Read More
PDF
1986

NIC Publication
Topics discussed at the symposium include the design of new generation jails, the transition to new generation operation, the costs and benefits of direct supervision, and the operation of direct new generation jails.... Read More
PDF
1987

NIC Publication
Details of the experiences of eleven jurisdictions in developing and operating direct supervision jails are presented in this report.... Read More
PDF
1987

NIC Publication
... Read More
PDF
1987

NIC Publication
Alternate title: NIC 2nd annual symposium on new generation jails. A major theme occurring in several of the papers is the role of management in direct supervision.... Read More
PDF
1987

NIC Publication
... Read More
PDF
1989

NIC Publication
"This paper examines whether a critical incident, behaviorally-based situational interview process, helps New Generation Jail managers identify the requisite talents in prospective officers."--p. 1. This paper was presented at the annual meeting of t... Read More
PDF
1989

NIC Publication
"This report describes a study that attempts to quantify the differences between direct and indirect supervision and to specify the design implications of each mode so that jurisdictions faced with changing or expanding their correctional programs wi... Read More
PDF
1995

NIC Publication
This document was developed as a resource for those interested in the direct supervision concept of jail design and management. It will help readers locate direct supervision facilities that they may wish to study or contact, and provides basic infor... Read More
PDF
1996

NIC Publication
Three facilities varying in size and region were audited to measure the state of the art in podular direct-supervision jails, to test how well direct supervision is performing, and to point out its strengths and challenges. Staff and inmates in facil... Read More
PDF
2001

NIC Publication
A directory of facilities that utilize the direct supervision concept of jail design and management is provided. Organized by state, entries provide the following information: facility name, address, description and status, year opened, contact perso... Read More
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