Okla. Admin. Code § 310:670-7-1

Current through Vol. 42, No. 4, November 1, 2024

Section 310:670-7-1 - Standards for detention facilities holding juvenile offenders

(a) A juvenile shall be incarcerated only in a city or county detention facility authorized by the appropriate judicial or juvenile bureau authority. A juvenile shall not be detained in any holding facility or lockup facility. This requirement does not preclude juveniles being held in non-secure areas until a parent or other responsible party arrives to take custody of the juvenile.

(b) Prior to a juvenile being placed in an eligible detention facility, permission shall be obtained from the appropriate judicial or juvenile bureau authority. A record of permission shall be maintained at the facility.

(c) Sight checks of juvenile inmate living areas shall be performed at least one (1) time each hour. The check shall include all areas of each cell and the inmates shall be visually observed. Checks shall be documented in writing on a form provided by the administrator.

(d) An adult inmate who is assigned trusty status shall not be permitted sustained contact with a juvenile inmate. A staff member shall serve a juvenile inmate's meals.

(e) In addition to existing visitation privileges, juvenile inmates shall be permitted visits from authorized juvenile agency personnel. Visits from family members, who are unable to visit during normal visiting hours shall be allowed so long as arrangements for them are made in advance, with the administrator, and provided they do not jeopardize security. Each facility that holds a juvenile shall have written policies and procedures for such visits.

(f) A juvenile inmate shall be able to communicate with staff members at all times. This can be either by voice or electronic means. If electronic systems are used, there shall be a backup plan to insure communication ability is maintained.

(g) No staff member shall be permitted to enter a juvenile inmate living area i.e., past the last locked door, without backup assistance being available from another staff member. At least one (1) staff member shall be of the same sex as the juvenile inmate except in life endangering situations. Anytime a decision is made to enter the living area without appropriate backup assistance as defined above, the action shall be documented. Documentation shall show the reason for the decision and a permanent record shall be maintained.

(h) A juvenile charged with a crime which would constitute a felony if committed by an adult, or a juvenile who is an escapee from a juvenile training school or from a Department of Human Services group home, may be detained in any detention facility authorized by the appropriate judicial or juvenile bureau authority, police station or similar law enforcement office, not approved for long-term detention, for a period of six (6) hours or less for identifying, processing or arranging for transfer to a juvenile detention facility or alternative program. In no other circumstances shall a juvenile be securely detained in an adult detention facility.

Okla. Admin. Code § 310:670-7-1

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 36, Issue 24, September 3, 2019, eff. 9/13/2019