10A NCAC 14J .1215 DOORS, Bunks, Locks, and fasteners

(a) A jail shall provide doors, locks, and detention hardware that are rated by the manufacturer as security-type and as acceptable for use in correctional facilities.

(b) Fasteners used in inmate accessible areas shall be rated by the manufacturer as security-type and tamper-resistant.

(d) A security vestibule and a sally port shall have:

(1) one or more interior doors or gates and an entrance door or gate;

(2) doors or gates provided with an interlocking security feature;

(3) interior doors or gates arranged to be locked and unlocked by means located outside of the security vestibule, sally port, dormitory, dayroom, and cellblock; and

(4) doors or gates provided with override capability to unlock all doors or gates in the event of an emergency.

(e) Doors and locks that are electronically controlled shall be equipped with manual override.

(f) Food passes in doors, if used, shall have openings large enough to permit the passage of a food tray.

(g) Single segregation cells and single cells shall have a single bunk. Multiple occupancy cells and dormitories shall have single bunks or double bunks. A bunk shall:

(1) have dimensions large enough to accommodate a detention mattress;

(2) be anchored not less than 15 inches above the floor, if a single bunk or a lower bunk of a double bunk;

(3) be anchored not less than 50 inches above the floor, if an upper bunk of a double bunk;

(4) be anchored flush to the wall;

(5) have a lip to hold the mattress in place; and

(6) have tamper-resistant construction.

(h) Cells required to be accessible for persons with disabilities as required by the North Carolina State Building Code shall not have an upper bunk.

(i) Inmate accessible areas of the jail shall be equipped or furnished in a manner that decreases suicide hazards within the jail. Jails shall provide items to reduce suicide hazards for inmates, including the following:

(1) handrails or grab bars with a closure plate that is installed between the wall and the handrail or grab bar;

(2) exposed door hinges with a sloped top and bottom;

(3) non-vertical surfaces of door hardware with a slope;

(4) holes in the bunk mattress platform that are no more than 1/8 inch in diameter;

(5) shower heads that are not hand-held with a hose; and

(6) heating, ventilating, and air conditioning supply and return grilles with openings not more than 3/16 inches wide, if the supply and return grilles are located in a cell used to house inmates on special watch.

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

Eff. June 1, 1990;

Readopted Eff. September 4, 2020.