Prison furnishings must meet certain requirements today. Inmates must remain safe in these facilities along with staff members. However, this is only one consideration when purchasing these items.
While safety must be the top priority, the purchasing team must find pieces that foster rehabilitation while withstanding frequent use in a challenging environment. Ergonomics come into play, along with furniture configurations and material choices. When a purchasing team considers these elements, choosing the right furnishings takes less time and effort.
Common Features
Each facility has unique needs when it comes to furnishings. Nevertheless, certain things must be considered when making this investment. Look at the chemical resistance of the materials, the construction, antimicrobial coatings, and more. When shopping for justice furniture, look for the following things.
Anti-Ligature Furnishings
Any furnishings purchased for a correctional facility must be free of tie-down points. An inmate could use these ligatures to harm themselves or others. Consider this and examine each piece to ensure it remains free of items that could be used as ligatures. This includes ropes, bed sheets, and cords.
One-Piece Construction
Purchase furnishings that cannot be tampered with. Solid pieces ensure a part cannot be removed to harm an inmate. Chairs without armrests are a good example of tamper-proof furnishings. Only purchase those items with non-removable legs. Doing so ensures the legs cannot be dismantled and used inappropriately.
Furthermore, solid furnishings make it difficult to conceal contraband. Inmates won’t be able to hide prohibited items in the furnishings if they are tamper-proof. As a result, the safety of the inmates and staff members increases.
Ease of Cleaning
Choose pieces that can be cleaned easily. Furniture must be sanitized regularly in correctional facilities to prevent the spread of diseases. If one inmate becomes ill, the entire facility may come down with the disease because germs spread easily in this type of setting.
Furthermore, the furnishings see frequent use, as inmates live in the facility 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The furnishings must be cleaned daily to ensure a safe and healthy environment. If the pieces are easy to clean, less time is devoted to this task. Staff members spend less time in areas that may be considered unsafe, and there is less disruption to the inmates.
Many facilities choose furnishings made from non-porous materials. However, the purchasing team should also look at moisture- and corrosion-resistant materials. Pieces made from these materials easily withstand exposure to chemicals and frequent cleanings.
Color Options
Many prison facilities lack color. However, color plays a role in helping inmates overcome various challenges. It helps inmates with behavioral healthcare conditions heal, including those struggling with depression.
On the other hand, inmates may be overstimulated by color. Reserve bright and stimulating colors for those areas where inmates spend less time. Choose cool colors for frequently used areas, such as bedrooms. Look to nature when choosing colors for a correctional facility, as these colors make it easier for inmates to transition to regular society upon their release.
Durable Pieces
Prison furnishings, as previously mentioned, are used frequently. They must be durable and resistant to wear and tear. Replacing these furnishings routinely costs more than most facilities can afford. In addition, replacing the furnishings requires planning and coordination to ensure there is no disruption to operations and the safety of all parties is prioritized. Durable pieces reduce the need for replacing items, so make this a priority when shopping for new furnishings.
Versatile Pieces
The needs of a correctional facility may change over time. When purchasing furnishings for the facility, look for those items that can serve multiple purposes. For example, choose tables that can be used in break rooms or the dining hall, depending on where they are needed. This saves money and makes it easy to reconfigure the facility to meet changing needs.
Specific Uses
However, certain pieces must be purchased with a specific purpose in mind. For example, pieces used in the prison infirmary will differ from those used in a break room or dining hall. Take the following into consideration when purchasing pieces for these areas.
Prison Infirmary
Every correctional facility needs an infirmary where sick inmates can be cared for. Healthcare workers do more than care for the ill, however. They also work with inmates to ensure they are healthy upon their release and ready to rejoin society. As previously mentioned, these pieces need to be easy to clean, durable, and tamper-resistant.
Most facilities today choose stainless steel furnishings for the infirmary. These pieces hold up well in high-traffic areas and can withstand impact. Furthermore, they are easy to clean between patients, which is important.
Healthcare workers may find themselves treating tens or hundreds of patients in a day. They need to sanitize the workbenches and countertops quickly between patients. These furnishings resist chemical corrosion, so cleaning them repeatedly won’t be an issue.
Control Room Furnishings
Safety remains the top priority in correctional facilities. The entire facility must be designed to keep inmates and workers safe at all times. One way prisons accomplish this goal is through the use of extensive surveillance systems. Guards and other staff members must be able to see all areas of the facility around the clock. Doing so allows them to monitor movement within the facility and act quickly if any problems arise.
Staff members responsible for monitoring these surveillance systems work in control rooms. These rooms feature multiple monitors showing live footage of all prison areas. These individuals sit and view the monitors throughout their shifts.
They need ergonomic furnishings when doing so. These furnishings should also be comfortable and easily adjustable for individuals. When choosing these furnishings, ensure they encourage focus and productivity while promoting good posture.
Conclusion
Correctional facility furnishings need to meet several requirements. While the safety of all using the facility must also be the top priority, other factors cannot be ignored. By considering the above items when making this purchase, every facility will find items that meet their needs in every way and last for an extended period.
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