Detention facility building

Abstract

 The invention relates to a detention facility building (1) with the purpose of making the guards' work more efficient and enhancing security. The building comprises: at least one living premises (2) of the detainees which is formed of at least one pair of storeys with an internal hall, forming a living premises module; the living premise modules are positioned to mirror each other, forming the pairs of living that are connected to each other by the vertical access road of the detainees; the detention facility building comprises an underground parallel tunnel system that connects the pairs of living premises and other buildings of different functions of the closed zone of the detention facility building.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of construction, more specifically, the invention deals with a detention facility building, e.g. a prison, which is meant for living, working, learning, isolation, surveillance of different groups of detainees and their vertical and horizontal movement within and between the different parts of a detention facility building, serving different functions.

Prior art

[0002] Several solutions of prison buildings, involving rows of cells, including cells that are separated from each other, and a surveillance room (NL1025124) between the rows/blocks of cells, are know from the state of the art (NL1025124); prison building comprises parallel or radial rows of cells on different storeys, with prison guards' and surveillance rooms either at the ends of in the middle of the rows (US1855756, US2054665, US2248805, NL1031204, US6360494). Observation shutters, resistant to attacks (US4571901), reliable sets of mirroring windows (US4492430), prisoner cells with walls treated with external metal layer (FR2867211) are also known from the prior art.

[0003] The prior art also knows a prison (JP2004068296) with a main building that will allow monitoring of the whole prison, and a section that is divided into several parts, having opening/closing mechanisms for all the parts of sections; the mechanisms are controlled from the main building. The main building is also fitted with a monitor for observing the prisoners by means of detectors attached to prisoners.

[0004] By technical nature, the solutions, published in US patent US2036515 and US patent application US2010064603, are the closest to the current invention.

[0005] The solutions, presented in a pending US patent US2036515, allows efficient observation and constant and safe checking of prisoners by means of observation corridor of prison guards, where security measures can be also applied, if applicable. The prison building comprises a main room, with prison cells adjacent to both ends of the room, on two storeys; the cells are separated from the external wall by a hallway. All the prison cells open into the main room and are separated from the main room by bars or lattice, which allows to see the insides of cells from the main room. The main room also includes an observation corridor with bullet proof walls; the storey of the observation corridor is raised above the storey level of the main room.

[0006] The solution, described in the US patent application US2010064603, includes a number of modules; every module comprises a prison cell and restricted exercise zone that comprises at least one piece of training equipment. The prison cell and restricted exercise zone are located next to each other and made of a strong material (concrete, steel). Prison cells have a shower and door between the cell and exercise zone. Control equipment will be used to control the use of shower by prisoners and opening/closing of the door. The module is intended for regular activities of prisoners - living, eating, physical exercising, learning, conversations - inside the building, presenting lower risk for violence and distribution of narcotic drugs.

[0007] The current existing solutions involve the use of numerous prison guards to ensure security during the movement of prisoners from one part of the building to another (place of living, working place, hospital block, incarceration block, calming facilities, training place, places for meeting with investigators, next of kin, etc.). Mutual communication between different groups of prisoners, distribution of items and information in course of movement is not avoided in the process, therefore, it is not possible to impose the intended detention, correction and re-socialisation regime upon the different prisoner groups. Due to large number of groups with different detention regime a large number of prison guards will be needed to ensure accurate and safe movement of prisoners and surveillance of compliance with the intended regime with the required measures. Large number of surveillance officials is resource intensive and human factor related risk will increase in case of a large number of people.

Subject matter of the invention

[0008] Persons, detained in a detention facility building, are divided into different groups (for example, the youth, grown-ups, men, women, offence against persons, prisoners serving life term, prisoners having committed extremely dangerous crimes, criminals participating in crimes involving drugs, traffic and economic offenders, detainees detained for crimes of different degree, etc.). Depending on the nature of punishment and methodology employed for rehabilitation of offender, different living, recreation, working, learning and movement regime is prescribed for each group. Communication between different groups must be isolated at maximum level to ensure the regime imposed and therefore, it is necessary to avoid communication between individuals of different groups, influences and transfer of items during movement in different parts of detention facility building while ensuring maximum safety.

[0009] Detention facility building, supplied with modern technical solutions, has been developed for the purpose of enhancing the efficiency of the work of prison guards, save resources, enhance security and to ensure the enforcement of different regimes for correcting the behaviour of detainees. The building comprises the following facilities:

• residential block for detainees that including at least one pair of storeys,
• storey pair will include upper and lower storey, connected by an internal hallway,
• open-air walk for detainees on the upper storey of upper pair of storeys of the residential block; walkway for the guards will be above the walk,
• underground storey under the lower storey of lower pair of storeys,
• storeys of storey pairs are grouped into groups of cells, where cells run in parallel rows of cells,
• storeys of pairs of storeys comprises also functional spaces, walkways separated from each other, meant for detainees and prison guards,
• residential blocks are located to mirror each other by storey pairs, connected at ends with connecting hall, thus forming residential block module,
• room for prison guards is, among other premises, located in the connecting hall, ensuring visual observation of upper and lower storeys of the pair of storeys,
• modules of the residential block are located to mirror each other, thus forming a pair of residential block modules,
• pair of residential block modules is connected by a module for vertical movement of the detainees and a functional spaces,
• the detention facility building comprises an underground tunnel system that links residential block module pairs and other building blocks of the closed zone of the detention facility building, serving different functions,
• in addition, the detention facility building comprises technical systems, surveillance and fire protection measures, automated surveillance and fire alarm systems, systems for monitoring the condition of doors and technical utility systems and video surveillance systems.

[0010] Number of pairs of storeys will depend on the number of detainees, architectural and constructional conditions and construction and operating costs and, where appropriate, the residential block may consist of several pairs of storeys. The number of residential block modules will also depend in the general number of detainees and number of different groups of detainees, kept in a detention facility building.

[0011] The solution provided will allow to cut down the number of prison guards and improve the efficiency of their work, ensuring the enforcement of different regimes for rehabilitation and re-socialisation of detainees, helping to save resources and ensure the safety of prison guards and the detainees.

List of figures

[0012] 

Figure 1 depicts a view of the lower storey in pair of storeys of pair of modules in a residential block;

Figure 2 depicts a view of the upper storey in pair of storeys of pair of modules in a residential block;

Figure 3 depicts a view of the underground storey under the lower storey of lower pair of storeys of a pair of modules of residential block of the detainees;

Figure 4 depicts a view of parallel tunnel system of the detention facility building;

Figure 5 depicts side view of transverse section of pair of module of residential block of the detainees and parallel tunnel system;

Figure 6 depicts end view of longitudinal section of pair of module of residential block of the detainees and parallel tunnel system.

Example of embodiment of the invention

[0013] In detention facility building 1, residential blocks 2 of the detainees have been formed as a separate part of detention facility building 1, which are installed to mirror each other, connecting at ends, radially, to form residential block module 3 and connecting hall 10 in the middle.

[0014] Residential blocks 2 include at least one vertical pair of storeys 4, consisting of two storeys 5, 6.

[0015] Open air walk 7 for the detainees is located on upper storey 5 of pair of storeys 4 of the residential block 2; above the walk 7 there is the walkway for guards 8 and tunnel system storey 9 or underground storey, below the ground level, is located under lower storey 6 of the lower pair of storeys 5 of residential block 2.

[0016] Tunnel system storey 9 comprises paired parallel tunnel system 42 for horizontal movement of the detainees and tunnel system 46 for the movement of prison guards and for servicing technical utility systems.

[0017] Connecting hall 10 is located at one end of pair of storeys 4. There are walkways 11 a, premises for prison guards 12, stairwell for prison guards 13, technical utility systems 14 and their wells 15 in the connecting 10. Residential blocks 2, connected to connecting hall 10 at the ends, form residential block module 3.

[0018] Residential block modules 3 are located to mirror each other, forming a pair of modules 16 of the residential block.

[0019] Module 17 for vertical movement of the detainees and functional spaces serve as the connecting part of a pair of residential block module 16 in the direction of premises for prison guards 12 and stairwell for prison guards 13 (behind them); the module includes a gateway 18, parallel stairwell for vertical movement of the detainees 19, lift vestibule 20 between the lift 21 and parallel stairwell 19 and functional spaces 50 of a pair of storeys 4. Functional spaces 50 of a pair of storeys 4 are, for example: working rooms of the head of the unit, rooms for procedural operations, reception room, recreation room, toilet facilities, premises for washing dishes, hairdresser's, group work room, administration room, janitor's room for cleaning devices, store room, secondary room, hallway. All doors of module 17 for vertical movement of the detainees and functional spaces are safe doors.

[0020] Beside the connecting hall 10 (behind the premises for prison guards 12 and the stairwell for prison guards 13) is gateway 18, further one will find the lift vestibule 20, which is located between lifts 21 and the parallel stairwell 19 for vertical movement of the detainees.

[0021] Cells 22 of the detainees on storeys 5 and 6 of pair of storeys 4 are assembled by groups of cells 23. Between groups of cells 23, there are the pathways 11 b, stairway 24, connecting the upper 5 and lower 6 storey of pair of storeys 4 and the evacuation stairwell 25 is located adjacent to pair of storeys 4, connected with connecting hall 10 on pair of storeys 4. Rooms 26 for physical exercise, everyday activities, smoking and secondary rooms for the detainees are located adjacent to connecting hall 10, forming a part of cell group 23 of lower storey 6 of pair of storeys 4. Room 27 for contact person of the detainees forms a part of cell group 22, adjacent to connecting hall 10, on upper storey 5 of pair of storeys 4.

[0022] In groups of cells 23, the cells 22 for the detainees are located as parallel rows of cells 28 divided by a hallway 29. In rows of cells 28, cells 22 form pairs of cells 30, mirroring each other. Toilet facilities 31 a, mirroring cell 22, are located to the hallway side 29 of the pair of cells 30. Duct 32 for technical utility systems of cell 22 is between hallway 29 and toilet facilities 31 a. Duct 32 for technical utility systems of cell 22 has a security door, opening into hallway 29. At floor level of both storeys 5 and 6, there are security and fire protection measures 34 in duct 32 for technical utility system of cell 22. Also, in the duct 32 for technical utility systems of cell 22, adjustment and closing tools 35 of technical utility systems 14 can be found on each storey 5 and 6.

[0023] Cells 22 consist of a living room 31 b and ja toilet facilities 31 a, which include a shower area 31 aa and toilet area 31 ab. Cells 22 are separated from the surrounding environment with sound, fire, moisture and radiation insulation. Cells 22 have security windows of cells in external shell and observation holes in the partition of cell 22, facing the corridor, providing an overview of the inside of the cell and shower area 31 aa (toilet area 31 ab is not visible). The door of cell 22 opens inside and can be opened to hallway 29 in emergency situations.

[0024] Indoor hallways 37 that links upper 5 and lower storey forms the connecting part of pair of storeys 4.

[0025] Hallway 29 of upper storey 5 of pair of storeys 4 is formed as an internal pathway-balcony 38 with rounder corners; its upper edge is covered with a fixed steel bar 51, having a height equal to the height of upper storey 5, to prevent detainees from jumping to lower storey 6 or throwing down the other inmates or prison guards. Stairway 24 between pair of storeys, preferably winding stair, restricted with steel trellis, provides access from upper storey 5 of pair of stairs 4 to the lower storey.

[0026] Groups of cells 23 are separated from the connecting hall 10 by security doors 33 and steel trellis 51.

[0027] The floor of the premises for prison guards 12 of pair of storeys 4 will be up to 2 m above the level of the floor of lower storey, preferably at the height of 1.6 m, ensuring immediate visibility of floor area of upper storey 5 of pair of storeys 4 and security doors 33 of cells 22, as a prison guard stands up. Such location of pair of storeys 4 in residential block module 4 will allow a single prison guard, not using any technical tools, guard visually the security doors 33 of cells 22 in the line of cells 28 and movement in front of security doors 33 of cells 22, in internal hallway 37, connecting hall 10 and hallways 29.

[0028] Detainees, living in one pair of storeys 4, will be separated from other detainees, living in pairs of storeys 4, allowing to house optimum number of inmates subject to certain incarceration, rehabilitation and re-socialisation regime, in every pair of storeys 4.

[0029] Evacuation stairwell 39 of residential block module 3 is found next to connecting hall 10 of residential block 2 for fast and safe evacuation of the inmates in case of fire or some other type of emergency. More than one evacuation stairwell 39 can be found in residential block module 3 for security reasons. In residential block module 3, evacuation stairwell 39 opens at ground level to evacuation gathering area 40, which is restricted from sides and on top with permanently fixed steel trellis 51 .

[0030] From the evacuation stairwell 39, access can be gained, under the guidance and control of prison guards, through security doors 33 and gateway 18 to upper storey 5 of higher pair of stairs 4, to a walk 7 for the inmates, which is fenced, on sides, with a fixed reinforced concrete barrier 52, and covered on top with a steel trellis 51; walkway 8 of the prison guards is above the walk. Canopy 41, preferably measuring to one half of the width of walk 7, is fitted above walk 7 and walkway 8 of the prison guards.

[0031] Prison guards can access the premises 12 for prison guards and walkway 8 for prison guards above the walk for the detainees from the stairwell 13 for prison guards, through security doors 33 and gateway 18.

[0032] Entry into an underground parallel tunnel system 42, which connects blocks (e.g. residential block modules 3, hospital facilities, administrative building, lock-up etc.) of detention facility building 1 to closed outdoor area 48 of detention facility building 1, takes place from under the module for horizontal movement of the detainees and functional spaces 17 under the control and guidance of prison guards. Parallel tunnel system for horizontal movement 42 forms a closed polygon. The angle of the polygon is "cut off" in turning direction and is formed of two 45 degree turning angles 43, that are located at least tunnel width apart, to avoid the possibility of a person hiding behind the corner and launching unexpected attack against the individuals, moving in the tunnel. Dead end branches emerge from the parallel tunnel system 42 to single blocks (parts) of the detention facility building 1. The parallel tunnel system 42 is divided into gateways 18, using fire and security doors 33, where only one group of the detainees can move at a time, under the control and guidance of prison guards (i.e. one detainee or prisoner), which is needed to rule out any contacts and merger of groups kept under different regime. In case of a functional requirement, required number of extra tunnels 44 can be added to pairs of parallel tunnel system 42 for horizontal movement. The parallel tunnel system 42 features evacuation exits 45 that open through security doors 33, gateway 18 and evacuation stairways 47 for prison guards into closed outdoor area 48 of the detention facility building 1. The parallel tunnel system 42 is confined, along its perimeter, with reinforced concrete boundary 52 that includes security doors 33.

[0033] Depending on architectural-constructional conditions, the parallel tunnel system for horizontal movement 42 may have a slope.

[0034] The premises for prison guards 12 are separated from the connecting hall 10 with a security wall 53, fitted with glasses in steel frames, running along the perimeter; the glasses used are bullet and impact proof reflective glasses, which enable to see from inside out while hiding the inside view from outside. Security door 33 is used as entrance and exit to guards' premises 12. The stairwell 13 for prison guards is behind the guards' premises 12, also separated from the connecting hall 10. From the stairwell 13 for prison guards, one can move to evacuation stairway 47 for guards through security doors 33 and gateway 18, via technical utility systems' servicing and guard movement tunnel system 46 of the technical utility systems 14 and from there one, to a confined outdoor area 48 of the detention facility building 1, which is surrounded by a security fencing 49. The technical utility systems' servicing and guard movement tunnel system 46 of the technical utility systems 14 is fitted under the duct for technical utility systems 15 and pipes and cabling of technical utility systems 14 run underneath. Equipment for closing and adjustment 35 of technical utility systems 14 are also under the duct for technical utility systems 15. The technical utility systems' servicing and guard movement tunnel system 46 of the technical utility systems 14 is separated from the parallel tunnel 42 system for the movement of detainees by security doors 33, gateway 18 and reinforced concrete boundary 52.

[0035] All the premises in the detention facility building are equipped with automated security and fire alarm system, a system for surveillance of the status of doors, windows and technical utility systems and a video surveillance system with a sufficient event memory.

List of indications

1 - Detention facility building	31a - Toilet facilities of a cell
2 - Residential block	31b - Living room of a cell
3 - Residential block module	31aa - Shower area of a cell
4 - Pair of storeys	31ab - Toilet area of a cell
5 - Upper storey	32 - Duct for technical utility systems
6 - Lower storey	of cell 22
7 - Walking area of the detainees	33 - Security doors
8 - Walkway for prison guards	34 - Security and fire protection
9 - Tunnel system storey	measures of the 22 duct for technical
10 - Connecting hall	utility systems 32 of a cell 22
11a - Movement route (in connecting	35 - Measures for adjustment and
hall 10)	closing of technical utility systems
11b - Movement route (at cells 22)	36 - External security window of cell
12 - Premises for prison guards	22
13 - Stairwell for prison guards	37 - Internal hallway, connecting
14 - Technical utility system	storeys 5 and 6
15 - Duct for technical utility systems	38 - Internal walkway-balcony
16 - Pair of residential block modules	39 - Evacuation stairwell for residential
17 - Module for vertical movement of	block module 3
the detainees and functional spaces	40 - Evacuation gathering area for
18 - Gateway	residential block module 3
19 - Parallel stairwell for vertical movement of the detainees	41 - Canopy
20 - Lift vestibule	42 - Parallel tunnel system for
21 - Lift	horizontal movement of the detainees
22 - Cell	43 - Turning angle
23 - Group of cells	44 - Extra tunnel
24 - Stairs between pair of storeys	45 - Evacuation exit for tunnel system 9
(between storey 5 and 6 of a of storeys)	46 - Tunnel system for servicing
25 - Evacuation stairwell between pair	technical utility systems and movement
of storeys 4	of prison guards
26 - Physical exercise, living and	47 - Emergency and evacuation stairs
smoking premises for a pair of storeys	(for prison guards)
27 - Contac person's premises	48 - Closed outdoor area
28 - Line of cells	49 - Security fencing of closed
29 - Hallway between line of cells	confined territory (outdoor area) 48 of
30 - Pair of cells 30	the detention facility building 1
	50 - Functional spaces of pair of
	storeys 4
	51 - Steel trellis
	52 - Reinforced concrete boundary
	53 - Security wall with glasses in steel
	frames

Claims

1. Detention facility building comprising residential block for detainees, having cells, premises for prison guards with a floor between the residential block storeys, positioned in such a way that the floor of the guards' premises is above the floors of lower storey, functional spaces of the detention facility building, movement paths for the detainees and prison guards, walkways for prison guards, technical utility systems of the detention facility building, security and fire protection measures, characterized in that:

- the residential block (2) has at least one pair of storeys (4) comprising of one vertical pair of storeys (5, 6), connected by a connecting hall (10);

- internal hallway (37), connecting the upper (5) and lower (6) storey is a connecting part between the pair of storeys (4);

- residential blocks (2) are positioned to mirror each other;

- residential blocks (2) are connecting at ends with the connecting hall (10) radially, to form residential block module (3);

- residential block module (3) comprises a central connecting hall (10) with movement paths (11 a, 11 b), premises (12) for prison guards, stairwell (13) for prison guards, technical utility systems (14) and ducts (15) for technical utility systems;

- residential block modules (3) are paired to mirror each other, thus forming a pair of residential block modules (16);

- pair of residential block modules (16) is connected by a module for vertical movement of the detainees and functional spaces (17);

- below the lower storey (6) of the lower pair of storeys of residential block (2) is located a tunnel system storey (9) and above the upper storey (5) of the pair of storeys of the residential block (2) there is an open air walk (7) for the detainees and the walkway (8) for guards above;

- tunnel system storey (9) comprises paired parallel tunnel system (42) for horizontal movement of the detainees and tunnel system (46) for the movement of prison guards and for servicing technical utility systems;

- cells (22) on pairs of storeys of residential blocks (2) are grouped into groups of cells (23), where cells (22) run as parallel line of cells (28), separated by a hallway (29);

- in rows of cells (28) the cells (22) are positioned as pairs of cells (30) to mirror each other;

- toilet facilities (31 a), mirroring each other, are located to the sides of the pair of cells (30) that face the hallway (29);

- the movement paths of detainees and prison guards are separated from each other:

• the following is meant for the movement of detainees, accompanied by a prison guard

o movement route (11a) in a connecting hall (10) and movement route (11 b) between groups of cells (23);

o evacuation stairwell (25) of a pair of storeys (4);

o hallway (29) between line of cells (28);

o winding stairs (24), confined with a steel trellis (51), between upper (5) and lower (6) storey;

o module (17) for vertical movement of the detainees and functional spaces;

o gateway (18);

o lift vestibule (20);

o parallel stairwells (19) for the detainees;

o internal hallway (37);

o upper storey (5) hallway, which is formed as an internal gangway-balcony (38) with rounded corners, featuring a fixed steel trellis (51) in the front wall, equal to the height of the upper floor (5);

o lift (21);

o residential block module (3) has more than one evacuation stairwell (39), which opens to the gathering area (40) at ground level, confined with a fixed steel trellis (51) from sides and on top;

o walk (7), confined on sides with a fixed reinforce concrete boundary (52) at sides, above the upper storey (5), accessible from evacuation stairwell (39);

o underground parallel tunnel system (42), wherein parallel tunnels (42) form a closed polygon;

• walkway (8) for prison guards only above the walk (7); stairwell (13) for prison guards; tunnel system (46) for servicing and movement of prison guards; evacuation stairs (47) for prison guards;

- security doors (33), security windows of cells, fitted with reflective glasses (36), steel trellises (51), bullet and impact proof reflective security windows of the guards' premises (53), reinforced concrete boundaries (52) are used as security measures.

2. Detention facility building accordingly to claim 1, characterized in that a module for vertical movement of detainees and functional spaces (17) comprises a gateway (18), parallel stairwells (19) for vertical movement of the detainees, lift vestibule (20), lift (21), functional spaces (50) of a pair of storeys and a horizontal underground tunnel system (42).

3. Detention facility building accordingly to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that a duct (32) for technical utility systems of cells (22) is positioned between hallway (29) and toilet facilities (31 a), security and fire protection measures (34) and measures (35) for adjustment and closing of technical utility systems of cells (22) are provided inside the duct (32) for technical utility systems of cell (22) and tunnels (46) for servicing and the movement of prison guards and closing and adjustment measures (35) are positioned under the ducts.

4. Detention facility building accordingly to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that turning angles of a closed polygon of a parallel tunnel system (42) connecting the blocks are formed of two 45 degree turning angles (43).

5. Detention facility building accordingly to claims from 1 to 4, characterized in that the floor of the premises (12) for prison guards of pair of storeys (4) is up to 2 m above the level of the floor of lower storey of pair of storeys (4), preferably at the height of 1.6 m.

6. Detention facility building accordingly to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cells (22) are separated from the surrounding environment with sound, fire, moisture and radiation insulation.

7. Detention facility building accordingly to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that all the premises in the detention facility building are equipped with automated security and fire alarm system, a system for surveillance of the status of doors, windows and technical utility systems and a video surveillance system with a sufficient event memory.

Drawing