10A NCAC 14J .1207       INMATE PROCESSING AREA and padded cell

(a)  Each jail that performs a booking and release function shall have an inmate processing area that includes the following:

(1)           a separate inmate entrance;

(2)           a holding area with seating and access to a toilet, lavatory, drinking fountain, and a shower;

(3)           a booking area that includes space for photographing and fingerprinting inmates;

(4)           a telephone for making local and collect long‑distance calls; and

(5)           a sobriety testing area.

(b)  A holding area may have a cell but it shall not be used as a confinement unit.

(c)  The inmate processing area may have a padded cell. The padded cell may be located in the medical area that is required by Rule .1209 of this Section. The padded cell shall:

(1)           be limited to one inmate;

(2)           contain a flushing rim floor drain that:

(A)          is capable of accepting solid waste;

(B)          has its flushing control located outside of the cell; and

(C)          has a tamper-resistant cover as rated by the manufacturer;

(3)           be located to allow observation of the cell by an officer 24 hours a day 7 days per week;

(4)           have not less than 50 square feet of floor area with no one floor dimension being less than seven feet;

(5)           have not less than an eight feet clear ceiling height;

(6)           provide a food pass with a lockable shutter;

(7)           have a door with a view panel large enough to permit observation of the entire cell or meet the requirements of Paragraph (f) of this Rule;

(8)           be equipped with a fire sprinkler rated as tamper resistant by the manufacturer;

(9)           have remote two-way voice communication;

(10)         be padded with padding material that meets the requirements of Paragraph (d) of this Rule;

(11)         be separated from the remainder of the jail as required by Paragraph (e) of this Rule; and

(12)         have a water hose connection outside the cell that is not accessible to an inmate.

(d)  Cell padding shall meet the requirements of the North Carolina State Fire Prevention Code. Cell padding shall be:

(1)           not less than ½ inch thick;

(2)           of a unitary or laminated construction designed to prevent destruction by teeth, hand tearing, or small metal objects;

(3)           bonded to surfaces to prevent tearing or ripping; and

(4)           without exposed seams that can be ripped open.

(e)  A padded cell shall be separated from the remainder of the jail with a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated fire barrier and a fire door with a fire protection rating of not less than 45 minutes as required by the North Carolina State Building Code.

(f)  If the padded cell has a video camera that monitors the inmate, the door's view panel may have a cover. The video camera shall be inaccessible to the inmate. An officer at the remote location from the padded cell shall observe a live video image created by the video camera on a television monitor or computer monitor. The television monitor or computer monitor shall have live video images from not more than six padded or holding cells.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 153A‑221;

Eff. June 1, 1990;

Readopted Eff. September 4, 2020.