Watered Down

Abstract

Podular direct-supervision jails, also known as new generation jails, are a radical departure from the design and management strategy of traditional institutions. These facilities provide a normalized physical environment plus a proactive supervision and management strategy in an attempt to provide a safer and more comfortable living environment than what has historically been found in jails. Are these jails truly different from traditional facilities? The current article presents the results of a national survey of new generation jails conducted in 2004. Results of the data analysis indicate that many of these jails are not including important components of the new generation jail model, such as a normalized living environment, in their facilities.