Which groups are included in the essential jail standards?

Which groups are included in the essential jail standards?

• A. Inmates only
• B. Inmates and employees
• C. Inmates, employees, and volunteers
• D. Employees only

Answer: (C)

Essential jail standards protect safety, security, and rights for everyone who may be in the jail environment. That includes the people held in custody, the staff who run the facility, and the volunteers who come in to help with programs and services. Volunteers are included because they interact with inmates and participate in activities inside the facility, so they must follow the same standards to maintain safety and order. So the standard set is applicable to inmates, employees, and volunteers. An option that covers only inmates would miss staff safety and operational needs; one that covers only employees would overlook the inmates’ safety and rights; and an option that includes inmates and employees but not volunteers would ignore the role volunteers play in programming and services.

Essential jail standards protect safety, security, and rights for everyone who may be in the jail environment. That includes the people held in custody, the staff who run the facility, and the volunteers who come in to help with programs and services. Volunteers are included because they interact with inmates and participate in activities inside the facility, so they must follow the same standards to maintain safety and order.

So the standard set is applicable to inmates, employees, and volunteers. An option that covers only inmates would miss staff safety and operational needs; one that covers only employees would overlook the inmates’ safety and rights; and an option that includes inmates and employees but not volunteers would ignore the role volunteers play in programming and services.