Gordon Graham
Category: Corrections

Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Today’s Tip is for my friends in corrections. Let’s talk about safety, sanitation, and security inspections in your facility.

The safety of your personnel, your facility and your inmates depend on these inspections. Don’t fall short and take a chance on something flying under the radar.

Inspections are typically governed by laws, ordinances, regulations, and jail policies. They should also comply with environmental safety and sanitation requirements. A good inspection has multiple benefits. It helps prevent escapes, assaults, illnesses, and injuries. It also identifies infestations, fire and safety hazards, and potential damage to your facility. It can also save on repair costs by fixing little problems before they become big ones.

It’s easy to become complacent about inspections, but the potential impact is huge. A missed inspection could mean a needed repair or threat to staff or inmates goes unnoticed. Identifying a simple water leak may prevent injuries and costly damage to the facility. Even more important items might include broken security equipment like cameras and door locks.

Most facilities have written schedules for safety and sanitation inspections, which are conducted routinely but irregularly. Wait a second, Gordon, “routinely but irregularly?” Yes. Routinely as in a set number of times per week, month or year. Irregularly as in not the same day or time each time – because an element of surprise is necessary for effective inspections.

The areas that should be checked include dayrooms, cells, trash cans, recreation and program areas, and locations where inmates complete work assignments. Don’t overlook the perimeter of the facility. I know it seems like a lot of area to cover. But inspections are too important to overlook.

The safety of your personnel, your facility and your inmates depend on these inspections. Don’t fall short and take a chance on something flying under the radar. Perform necessary inspections regularly to avoid future problems.

And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Until next time, Gordon Graham signing off.