NARRATIVE REPORT
CHESTER COUNTY DETENTION CENTER
MAIN JAIL
February 15, 2007
The annual inspection of the Chester County Detention Center (Main
Jail) was conducted on February 15, 2007, by Mr. Robert E. Ellison,
Jr., Detention and Correctional Inspector. The following violations
of the Minimum Standards for Local Detention Facilities in South
Carolina for Type II/IV facilities were noted:

1021 - Manual of Policies and Procedures:
(a)

Each facility shall have a written manual of all policies
and procedures for the operation of the facility.
Each
policy and procedure shall be reviewed annually and
updated as needed. These policies and procedures shall be
made readily available to all personnel.
The facility’s manual was still undergoing a revision
and had not yet come into compliance.

(b)

The following
procedures:

standards

require

written

policies

1022
1036
1037
J1041.1
1042
1043
1044
1045

1066
1067
1068
1081
1083
1091
1092
1093

2034
2035
2036
2037
2051
2052
2053
2054

1046
1051
1061
1062
1063
1064
1065

2001
2002
2014-24
2030
2031
2032
2033

2055
2056
2070
2080
2090
3001.

and

The Minimum Standards for Local Detention Facilities
in South Carolina were updated more than a year ago.
Some additional policies and/or procedures are now

Chester County Detention Center (Main Jail)
February 15, 2007, Annual Inspection
Page 2 of Narrative Report

mandated along with those revisions required to
overcome all of the deficiencies cited previously.
Staff indicated during the follow-up inspection that
the manual has been updated, but has not been
published nor has training been provided for staff.

1022 - Emergency Pre-Planning:
Each facility shall have current written procedures to be followed
in emergency situations.
These plans shall include procedures for
the following emergency situations:
fire
disturbances
escape
suicides and attempted suicides
taking of hostages
power failures
group arrests
natural disasters
bomb threats
homeland security issues.
Discussion:
The
facility
should
detail
in
writing
specific
procedures which can be implemented quickly when an emergency
occurs.
The procedures should contain provisions for sounding an
appropriate alarm, alerting officials, mobilizing needed resources,
and ending the alert. For example, a fire suppression plan would be
coordinated with, and recognized by, the local fire department and
would include a fire prevention plan in the policies and procedures
manual; regular facility inspections by staff; fire prevention
inspections
by
the
fire
department
having
jurisdiction;
an
evacuation plan; and a plan for the emergency housing of inmates in
case of a fire.
The facility must update specific procedures for the
items listed in this Standard.
At least one (1)
additional pre-planning procedure is now required.
Existing plans need to be revised to accurately
identify step-by-step procedures which are to be
enacted in the event of an emergency situation.

Chester County Detention Center (Main Jail)
February 15, 2007, Annual Inspection
Page 3 of Narrative Report

1031 - Number of Personnel:
(b)

Each facility shall have sufficient personnel to provide
twenty-four (24) hour supervision and processing of
inmates, to arrange full coverage of all identified
security posts, and to accomplish essential support
functions.
This facility is significantly understaffed. Current
personnel levels do not provide coverage of all
necessary security functions or posts, nor do they
allow
leeway
for
regular
days
off,
vacations,
sickness, training, etc.
The employee numbers are
deceptive because these published figures include the
Prison Camp, which is actually a separate building
with housing units and its own control room.
Sentenced inmates are providing the bulk of the
maintenance work at the facility.
These inmate
workers are required by Standards to be under
supervision at all times.
However, proper oversight
is not taking place, presumably due to lack of staff.
This not only creates several Standards violations
(e.g.,
1063,
1064,
1065,
and
1066);
it
also
contributes to other serious security issues.

(d)

A staffing analysis (using NIC Staffing Analysis Workbook
or other industry-recognized plan) shall be conducted to
determine facility staffing needs.
The staffing analysis
shall be reviewed annually and updated as needed.
A current staffing analysis was not available during
the follow-up inspection.
Documentation of an
official staffing analysis must be available for
review during the next inspection.

1061 - Weapons Control:
(c)

Each facility shall establish policies
governing the use of less lethal devices.

and

procedures

The policies and procedures manual must be updated to
include clear guidelines governing the use of less
lethal devices.
Documentation will be reviewed
during future inspections.

Chester County Detention Center (Main Jail)
February 15, 2007, Annual Inspection
Page 4 of Narrative Report

1063 - Key Control:
(c)

No inmates, including trusties, shall be permitted access
to, nor allowed to handle, facility or vehicle keys.
Inmate workers have control of keys to most of the
maintenance areas at the facility, with unassisted
access to these areas.

(d)

Keys necessary for unlocking doors installed in a means of
egress shall be individually identifiable by both touch
and sight, as mandated by Standard 408.7.4. of the
International Fire Code.
Since the last inspection, the number of keys has
been reduced, and keys have been color coded and
notched in order to facilitate easier recognition.
Exit and exit access door keys still need to be
identified to correspond with these doors for ease of
identification.

1064 - Tool Control:
There shall be a tool control plan including the standard use of
inventory shadow boards, etchings, or color coding of facility tools
to ensure that such tools are not used to breach the security of the
facility.
This plan shall include tools used in the kitchen and
medical units.
Tools brought into the facility for maintenance or
for repairs shall be accounted for at all times.
Inmate workers have an unaided and unmonitored access
to tool/maintenance rooms.
Tool control and tool
accountability are haphazard at best.
Adequate
inventory of, access to, and control of tools are
badly needed.

1065 - Facility Security:
(c)

All cellblock doors and all corridor doors shall be kept
locked except when necessary to permit entry or exit.
Numerous corridor doors are missing the knobs and can
not be properly secured. They must be outfitted with
hardware in order to close and lock appropriately.

Chester County Detention Center (Main Jail)
February 15, 2007, Annual Inspection
Page 5 of Narrative Report

(d)

Unoccupied cells, detention rooms, and storage rooms shall
be kept locked at all times.
Many doors cannot be properly secured.
Storage
rooms, pipe chases, and unoccupied cells (including
the shower cell in intake) must be repaired so that
they can be secured by locks.
Some of these doors
can now be secured but are readily able to be opened
with a screwdriver.

1081 - Classification Plan:
Each facility shall develop and implement a written classification
plan to properly assign inmates to classification categories for
placement in housing and other detention specific functional
situations based upon consideration of sex; age; sentenced/nonsentenced;
criminal
sophistication;
seriousness
of
crime;
assaultive/non-assaultive
behavior;
medical
rules;
and
other
applicable criteria.
The facility has a classification plan but, at times
of overcrowding, can not adhere to it.

1082 – Classification Categories:
(a)

The facility provides for the separate management of the
following categories of inmates:
*
*
*
*
*

*
*
*
*

female and male inmates
sentenced and non-sentenced inmates
other classes of detainees (witnesses, civil
inmates)
community custody inmates (work releasees,
weekenders, trusties)
inmates
with
special
problems
(alcoholics,
narcotics addicts, mentally disturbed persons,
physically handicapped persons, persons with
communicable diseases)
inmates requiring disciplinary detention
inmates requiring administrative separation
juvenile detainees
other categories that may pose a security
problem, which include but are not limited to:

Chester County Detention Center (Main Jail)
February 15, 2007, Annual Inspection
Page 6 of Narrative Report

high profile cases; geriatric inmates; sexual
deviants; sex offenders; predators; and inmates
undergoing sex changes.
The facility has a classification plan; however,
at times of overcrowding, this plan can not be
fully implemented.

2013 – Living Units – Existing Facilities Prior to July 1980:
(a)

The number of inmates occupying a cell, room, or dorm
shall not exceed the rated capacity of the cell, room, or
dorm when based upon the average daily population for the
previous three (3) months.
Grand total figures indicate formal overcrowding over
the past three (3) month period. Due to the limited
physical plant space and the necessity of separating
certain categories of the inmates, the respective
male pre-trial housing units greatly exceed their
rated capacities.

(e)

Each facility shall provide dayroom (communal
space for each cellblock or cluster of rooms.

activity)

This facility currently has no dayroom space for the
maximum-security area cellblocks.
(f)

Any cell, room, or area to which inmates are confined
(locked in) shall have one (1) operable water closet at a
minimum ratio of one (1) each per ten (10) inmates, and
one (1) operable lavatory with running water at a minimum
ratio of one (1) each per twelve (12) inmates, that are
accessible twenty-four (24) hours a day. (Urinals may be
substituted one-for-one for water closets in male areas;
however, at least two thirds of fixtures shall be water
closets.)
During times of significant overcrowding, the proper
ratios of fixtures to inmates cannot be achieved. In
addition, the facility’s plumbing system is quite
frequently undergoing repairs and/or replacement.

(g)

Each facility shall provide a bed for each inmate.

Chester County Detention Center (Main Jail)
February 15, 2007, Annual Inspection
Page 7 of Narrative Report

At times of overcrowding, this Standard is not being
met.
(h)

Each facility shall provide, in addition to the bed, a
desk, table, or shelf; hooks or storage space; and
adequate accessible seating for each inmate.
During times of overcrowding, the facility is not in
compliance with this Standard.

(i)

Artificial lighting shall be provided of at least twenty
(20) foot-candles measured three (3) feet off the floor.
Night light should provide good visibility for inmate
supervision, but should not hinder restful sleep.
Artificial lighting in most of the living areas does
not meet the minimum requirement. There are no light
fixtures in any of the individual cells in Housing
Blocks A, B, C, D, and E. Facility staff stated that
there are no plans approved and pending to provide or
to supplement the lighting in these individual cells.
This must be addressed.

2030 - Inmate Programs and Activities:
Each facility should provide an array of programs that includes
social services, religious services and events, library services,
vocational counseling, and educational courses.
The plan for inmate programs should emphasize the list of community
resources available.

The facility has no communal activity space in which
to conduct such programs, and none of the programs
are being provided, thus creating a violation of this
Standard.

2031 - Visiting:
Each facility shall develop and implement an inmate visiting plan
which shall include the following:
(a)

A

minimum

of

one

(1)

hour

per

week

of

visitation

per

Chester County Detention Center (Main Jail)
February 15, 2007, Annual Inspection
Page 8 of Narrative Report

inmate shall be permitted.
Restrictions on visitation
should not be imposed unless such privileges have been
suspended and/or restricted based on legitimate government
interests related to the safe and secure operation of the
facility; to prevent continued criminal activities; or
other similar concerns.
(b) Visitors shall be treated with courtesy.
An explanation
shall be given of visitors' rights and restrictions; and
procedures visitors must follow to file complaints should
either be posted conspicuously or provided in written
handouts.
(c) Special visiting hours and arrangements shall be made
available for visitors who have transportation problems,
who have handicaps, or who are working on regular visiting
days.
(d) Appointments for visits at any time may be required.
J(e) Parents, guardians, or custodians, as well as teachers and
tutors of juveniles, shall be allowed to visit at any
appropriate time between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. for a
reasonable length of time.
All policies and procedures related to visitor searches should be
reviewed by competent legal authority.
Staffing shortages contribute to non-compliance with
this Standard.
The policies and procedures for
visitor searches need to be reviewed by the County’s
legal representative.
Also, rules and regulations
governing
visits
to
the
facility
need
to
be
conspicuously posted.

2033 - Telephone:
Each facility shall develop and implement a written plan for the use
of the telephone.
Inmates may be required to pay for telephone
calls.
If telephone calls are to be monitored and/or recorded,
notice shall be provided.
Restrictions on making telephone calls should not be imposed unless
such privileges have been suspended and/or restricted based on
legitimate government interests related to the safe and secure
operation of the facility; to prevent continued criminal activities;
or other similar concerns.

Chester County Detention Center (Main Jail)
February 15, 2007, Annual Inspection
Page 9 of Narrative Report

Telephone terminal devices for the deaf, interpreters, and other
reasonable accommodations shall be provided to inmates with hearing
or other special needs.
Provisions need to be formulated to accommodate the
telephone access for hearing impaired and other
special needs inmates.

2082 - Laundering of Bedding and Linens:
An adequate supply of bedding and linens shall be maintained so that
the following laundry or cleaning frequencies may be adhered to:
(a)

Mattresses shall be disinfected or sanitized monthly and
before re-issue.
Mattresses are said to be sanitized monthly; however,
there was no documentation available indicating such
procedure, creating a violation of the Standard.

3001 - Sanitation - General Requirements:
Each facility shall develop and implement a written plan for the
maintenance of an acceptable level of cleanliness and sanitation
throughout the facility. Such plan shall include the following:
(d)

The scrubbing and rinsing of living units, each week.

Many of the problems previously cited concerning the
showers have been resolved with repairs.
However,
there are still some showers that are deteriorating
and have an accumulation of mold and mildew on the
walls and floors.

3002 – Equipment:
(a)

Suitable containers, easily cleaned and with tight fitting
lids, shall be provided for the storage of solid waste
material to control unpleasant odors, vermin, and insects.
If plastic containers are used, they must be tested and
approved against toxic reaction by a national testing
laboratory.

Chester County Detention Center (Main Jail)
February 15, 2007, Annual Inspection
Page 10 of Narrative Report

Trash can lids need to be replaced in order to comply
with this Standard, as well as with the requirements
of the State Fire Marshal.

Additional Deficiencies:
1.
The perimeter security currently in place does not appear
to create a sufficient means of deterrence.
2.
The facility has an adequate quantity of functional SelfContained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units.
However, training
in their use needs to be conducted and documented.
3.
The facility is not in compliance with all the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
4.
A great deal of physical plant repair and improvement has
taken place at this facility.
However, general maintenance
leaves much to be desired, and several critical fire/life
safety issues still need to be addressed. Timely completion of
the repairs/renovations in the older building is essential.
5.
All exit and exit access door keys have been identified
individually by sight and touch as per Fire Codes, and staff is
in the process of identifying the exit doors to match with the
keys needed to operate the locking mechanism.
During the
inspection, it was noted that the number of keys needed in
order to accomplish emergency egress from the building has been
reduced.
When tested, several exit and security doors opened
more easily, but should be checked daily for proper operation.
In a fire or emergency situation, delays in finding keys and
opening exit and/or exit access doors might dangerously hinder
evacuation.
6.
As stated previously, inmate workers are performing the
majority of maintenance on the building. There are large areas
of ceiling in disrepair (i.e., booking office, Sheriff’s side
of the building, etc.).
There are constant plumbing leaks of
the toilets, sinks, and showers. Due to the building’s age and
the security issues associated with inmates being in charge of
maintenance and having virtually unsupervised access to tools,
it appears to be obvious that no less than one (1) maintenance
employee should be assigned full time to the Detention Center.