A PRISON FACILITY

Abstract

 The invention relates to the construction industry, in particular to the construction of detention facility buildings, such as prison facilities.
A prison facility comprises at least one pair of two floors with prison cells (29), prison staff rooms and common areas (26). Said premises are configured in a triangular layout, thus forming triangular units of living quarters. Additionally, the triangular unit of living quarters is contralaterally paired with a similar triangular unit of living quarters, and the prison facility further comprises a multi-functional unit situated between the paired triangular living units and connecting thereto.
Following configuration of a prison facility, as compared to the existing detention buildings, eliminates a number of security risks associated with the traffic of inmates, supervision thereover and undesired communication.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention related a construction industry, in particular to the construction of detention facility buildings, such as prison facilities.

Background of the Invention

[0002] The known solutions for prison facilities are described in the US patent publications Nos. US5026211, US5353557 and the French patent publication No. FR2636362. These include modular structures of multi-storey detention facility buildings.

[0003] The system described in the US patent publication No. US5026211 is, in a way similar to the US patent publication No. US5353557, a multi-storey detention facility with a walk yard in the middle. The solution is implemented on a ship. The layout includes auxiliary spaces, e.g., a library, classrooms, non-contact visitation rooms, indoor exercise rooms, premises for the attending personnel, etc.

[0004] As distinct from the US patent publication No. US5026211 is the system described in US patent publication No. US5353557, which is implemented on land. Apart from that, the cells referred to therein can be removed from the structure or added thereto without dismantling it. Separate modules are interconnected with corridors and the administrative building located in the middle. The French patent publication No. FR2636362 also describes a prison facility that is comprised of modules interconnected with a building.

Summary of the invention

[0005] The proposed prison facility comprises, preferably, seven floors, a basement (underground) floor; a first floor and a second floor, which form the first floor pair; a third floor and a fourth floor, which form the second floor pair; and a fifth floor, which is essentially an walking area for the inmates, and a sixth floor, or attic floor, which further comprises the premises intended for the prison's security personnel. The number of floors may vary depending on the planned capacity of a specific prison facility.

[0006] The basement floor comprises a heating unit for heating supply, technical passages for engineering network maintenance, staircases and utility rooms. Other rooms, which may be required for the operation of the prison facility, can also be situated on the basement floor.

[0007] The prison facility comprises at least one pair of two floors with prison cells, staff rooms and common areas, which are arranged into a triangular layout, thus creating a triangular unit of living quarters, allowing to ensure a sufficient amount of sunlight within the premises, considering the orientation by cardinal directions. The triangular configuration essentially comprises triangular shapes. Additionally, the triangular configuration may be acute-angled or obtuse-angled.

[0008] The triangular unit of living quarters comprises cells for the accommodation of inmates. The cells are situated along the perimeter of the triangular unit. Each cell has a lavatory. Depending on the intended usage thereof, prison cells may be configured into cells for one, two or four prisoners. Communication shafts fitted for the communication lines of lavatories in the prison cells are situated between each two cells. Additionally, some cells can be configured into solitary confinement wards or cells of specific configuration.

[0009] The triangular unit of living quarters comprises staircases connecting the floor where the triangular unit of living quarters is located with the upper and/or lower triangular living floor. Additionally, at least one staircase is situated in the middle of one, two or all three sides of the triangular unit of living quarters, thus ensuring optimum traffic of prison facility personnel, inmates and other persons. This staircase may be used as an evacuation route in case of an emergency and as a means of access to the walking areas for inmates in the regular course of operation.

[0010] Additionally, a triangular unit of living quarters includes offices of contact persons, which are situated on one or both sides of the staircase. Offices of contact persons are also equipped with lavatories. These offices of contact persons are situated close to the prison cells, reducing the time spent by inmates outside prison cells, the space where the prisoners move around, and thus reducing the respective security risks.

[0011] The security room is situated between a pair of floors of the triangular unit of living quarters, configured as an intermediate floor. One part of the security room is situated in the lower floor of the floor pair but the another part of the same security room is situated in the upper floor of the same floor pair. Respectively, such security rooms allow monitoring at least two floors simultaneously. Such configuration improves the total prison security level, as the monitored sectors are not separated from each other, which could cause communication problems between the staff of the prison facility in case a prison upheaval occurs simultaneously on several floors. Additionally, such configuration reduces the number of prison security officers required, as compared to solutions that provide for a separate security room on each floor. Respectively, such prison facilities offer greater economic gain. Essentially, the security room is situated in the centre of the triangular unit of living quarters or repositioned slightly towards one of the sides, closer to the multi-functional unit. Additionally, a security staircase connects each security room to another security room and/or utility room situated on the upper and/or lower floor. The security room is surrounded by a passageway. This security staircase is primarily intended for use by security or surveillance personnel and special forces units only.

[0012] Additionally, the triangular unit of living quarters comprises common areas for the inmates to be in while being outside their cells, which are situated inside the triangular unit, between the prison cells, the passageway around the security room and the utility room unit. Respectively, the common areas connect the rooms or areas specified above. In turn, the security room has no direct connection to the common areas. These are separated by the passageway and the staircase.

[0013] In turn, the utility room unit, which divides the common area into three common areas, may comprise various auxiliary rooms, such as utility rooms, reception rooms, phone rooms and a gym. The utility area is intended for general labour activities carried out by inmates. The phone room houses a payphone for the inmates. The gym is intended for inmate physical activities. The layout and area thereof depends on the configuration of each floor and the prison facility as a whole.

[0014] Each triangular unit of living quarters is mirror paired with a similar triangular unit of living quarters. Additionally, the multi-functional unit is situated between both triangular units of living quarters, which ensures communication between both paired triangular living units. Respectively, the prison facility is configured as a double-headed arrow.

[0015] The multi-functional unit situated between two triangular units may comprise the following staff offices and premises:

• a social worker's office intended for private conversations between inmates and social workers;
• a supervision inspector's office intended to be the workplace of the inspector;
• a medical treatment room intended for facile medical procedures;
• a staff lavatory;
• a medical office for the preliminary examination of inmates;
• a psychologist's office for communication with a psychologist;
• an elevator primarily intended for the transportation of food between floors;
• a room for individual work, intended for individual conversation with social workers;
• a group activity room, intended for group activities of inmates and social workers;
• an auxiliary room for the storage of inventory;
• a contact person's office intended for individual contacts between an inmate and a contact person;
• a forfeit storage room for temporary storage of confiscated belongings;
• a janitor's room for the storage of janitorial utensils;
• a search room for searching inmates;
• a ventilation shaft;
• an auxiliary staircase that serves as an evacuation route in case of an emergency and ensures the separation of upward and downward traffic of people in the regular course of operation;
• an enclosed balcony with the primary purpose of providing time in the open air to inmates with disabilities;
• a video conference room for holding video conferences;
• a staff breakroom;
• a distribution room where the ordered products are distributed to inmates; and
• technical areas for the engineering communications and other auxiliary functions.

[0016] Inasmuch as the multi-functional unit is connected with triangular units of living quarters, some of the premises of the multi-functional unit share borders with a triangular unit of living quarters, respectively, a section of the premises may be situated in the triangular unit of living quarters, whereas the other section is located in the multi-functional unit.

[0017] The top floor of the triangular unit of living quarters within the prison facility houses a walking area where inmates have access to open air.

[0018] Additionally, the multi-functional unit may comprise a corridor or a passageway connecting it to other buildings of the prison facility.

[0019] The invention is also described in the claims.

[0020] Such configuration of the prison facility, as compared to the existing detention buildings, eliminates a number of security risks associated with the traffic of inmates, supervision thereover and undesired communication.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] The attached drawings illustrate the embodiments of the prison facility, wherein each drawing illustrates the following:

Fig. 1 illustrates a view of the basement floor of the building;

Fig. 2 illustrates a view of the building in the longitudinal section (A-A);

Fig. 3 illustrates a view of the building in the transverse section (B-B);

Fig. 4 illustrates a view of the first floor of the building;

Fig. 5 illustrates a view of the second floor of the building;

Fig. 6 illustrates a view of the third floor of the building;

Fig. 7 illustrates a view of the fourth floor of the building;

Fig. 8 illustrates a view of the fifth floor of the building;

Fig. 9 illustrates a view of the attic floor of the building;

[0022] The prison facility comprises two contralateral triangular units of living quarters interconnected through a multi-functional unit (Fig. 1, Figs. 4-9).

[0023] The prison facility has a basement floor, (Fig. 1), which comprises a heating unit 1 for heat supply, technical passages 3 for engineering network maintenance, staircases 5 and 6, and utility rooms 24.

[0024] Above the basement floor, there is the first floor (Fig. 4), which is also the first floor of a pair of two floors (Figs. 4 and 5). Along the sides of the triangular unit of living quarters of the first floor, there are two-man prison cells 29 and 28, with each prison cell 28 and 29 comprising a lavatory, 28a and 29a. Respectively, between the two prison cells 28 and 29, there is a shaft 2 for the installation and maintenance of engineering networks. Common areas 26 are situated in the middle of the triangular unit of living quarters, where inmates can stay while being outside the prison cells 28 and 29. Common areas 26 are divided into three parts. These are separated with a utility room unit and a passageway 7 around the security room 20.

[0025] Said configuration is used for the construction of the first floor (Fig. 4), second floor (Fig. 5), third floor (Fig. 6) and fourth floor (Fig. 7) of the triangular unit of living quarters.

[0026] The first (Fig. 4) and third floor (Fig. 6), or one of the floor pairs in each triangular unit of living quarters, comprises thirty two-man prison cells 28 and 29 and two cells for people with special needs that meet the environment accessibility requirements. Respectively, there are sixty two-man cells and four cells for people with special needs 28 and 29 per one floor.

[0027] The second (Fig. 5) and fourth floor (Fig. 7), or one of the floor pairs in each triangular unit of living quarters, contain thirty six two-man cells 29, respectively, there are seventy two two-man prison cells 29 per one floor.

[0028] Additional rooms are situated between the common areas of the triangular unit of living quarters 26. The first (Fig. 4) and third floor (Fig. 6) house utility rooms 24, reception rooms 9 and phone rooms 25 between the common areas 26. In a similar manner, the second (Fig. 5) and fourth floor (Fig. 7) house utility rooms 24 and gyms 40 between the common areas 26.

[0029] Security rooms 20 are situated between the first floor and the second floor, as well as between the third floor and the fourth floor, and are separated from the common areas 26 with a passageway 7. In turn, utility rooms 24 are situated between the basement floor and the first floor, and between the second floor and the third floor. Fig. 2 provides a visual illustration of the layout of security rooms 20 and the utility rooms 24 located between those. These rooms 20 and 24 are connected via a security staircase 5, which is only intended for the personnel of the prison facility.

[0030] The triangular unit of living quarters referred to herein is mirror paired with a similar triangular unit of living quarters, and there is also a multi-functional unit situated between the paired triangular living units and connecting these.

[0031] This multi-functional unit comprises: a social worker's office 10; a supervision inspector's office 11 and the Chief Inspector's office 36; a medical treatment room 12 and a doctor's office 13; a psychologist's office 35 for communication with a psychologist; a room for individual work 15, intended for individual conversation with social workers; a group activity room 16, intended for group activities of inmates and social workers; a contact person's office 18 intended for individual contacts between an inmate and a contact person, which is also fitted with a lavatory 18a; a staircase 8 that serves as an evacuation route in case of an emergency and ensures the separation of upward and downward traffic of people in the regular course of operation (see Figs. 2 and 3); an enclosed balcony 31 with the primary purpose of providing time in the open air for inmates with disabilities; a staff breakroom 33; and technical areas for the installation of engineering communications, e.g., ventilation shafts 23, the low-current switchboard room 34 and ventilation chambers 42, and other auxiliary functions, e.g., staff lavatories 27 and 39. The multifunctional unit also houses an elevator 14. Additionally, the multifunctional unit contains isolation cells 38, located in the area allocated for temporary sojourn of inmates; search rooms 22 for searching inmates; janitors' rooms 17 and 21; a forfeit storage room 19; a distribution room 32 where the ordered products are distributed to inmates; as well as a conference room 37, for example, for holding video conferences.

[0032] The sixth floor of the triangular unit of living quarters (Fig. 8) includes walking areas 41. These walking areas 41 are situated around and within the perimeter. The walking areas situated around the perimeter 41 are separated from the walking areas within the perimeter 41 with a passageway 7. The passageway 7 is accessible from the staircase 5.

[0033] The attic floor of the triangular unit of living quarters (Fig. 9) housed a security room 20, accessible through the staircase 5 intended for the personnel of the prison facility. The security room 20 for keeping the walking area 41 under surveillance. Additionally, the attic floor houses a guard tour gallery 30 for better surveillance over the walking area 41.

[0034] The invention is not limited to the examples described herein. Experts in the industry can amend and modify details of specific implementations of the invention without deviating from the essence and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A prison facility comprising:

at least one pair of two floors, wherein each floor comprises cells, prison staff rooms and common areas, which are arranged in a triangular layout, thus forming a triangular unit of living quarters,

wherein the triangular unit of living quarters comprises:

- prison cells (29) situated along the perimeter of the triangular unit of living quarters, with each prison cell (29) equipped with a lavatory (29a);

- communication shafts (2) between each pair of two prison cells (29), used for the installation of communications for the lavatories (29a);

- staircases (6) connecting the triangular unit of living quarters to another triangular unit of living quarters situated upstairs and/or downstairs, wherein at least one staircase (6) is situated in the middle of one of the sides of the triangular unit of living quarters;

- offices of contact persons (18) situated on one or both sides of the staircase (6), wherein the offices of contact persons (18) are also fitted with lavatories (18a);

- a security room (20) situated in the centre of the triangular unit of living quarters, wherein the security room (20) comprises a security staircase (5) that connects the security room (20) to another security room (20) and/or an utility room (24) situated upstairs and/or downstairs, wherein the security room (20) is situated between the two floors of the pair so that substantially at least half of the security room (20) is in the upper floor from the pair of the two floors and another half of the security room (20) is in lower floor from the pair of the two floors allowing simultaneous supervision from the security room (20) over both floors of the triangular unit of living quarters, wherein the security room (20) is surrounded by a passageway (7);

common areas (26) situated within the triangular unit of living quarters, in the area between the prison cells (29) and the passageway (7) which surrounds the security room (20), and, respectively, the common area (26) is in communication with said prison cells (29) and said passageway (7); and

an utility room unit that divides the common area (26) into three common areas (26).

2. The prison facility according to Claim 1 characterized in that the triangular unit of living quarters is contralaterally paired with a similar triangular unit of living quarters, wherein a multi-functional unit is situated between the paired triangular living units and connecting thereof.

3. The prison facility according to Claim 2 characterized in that the multi-functional unit comprises: a social worker's office (10); a supervision inspector's office (11); a medical treatment room (12); a psychologist's office (35) for communication with a psychologist; a room for individual work (15), intended for individual conversation with social workers; a group activity room (16)for group activities of inmates and social workers; a contact person's office (18) for individual contacting between an inmate and a contact person; an auxiliary staircase (8) that serves as an evacuation route in case of an emergency and ensures the separation of upward and downward traffic of people in the regular course of operation; an enclosed balcony (31) for providing time in the open air for inmates with disabilities; a staff breakroom (33); and technical areas for engineering communications and other auxiliary functions.

4. The prison facility according to the any of the Claims characterized in that the utility room unit comprises premises selected from the following group of premises:

an utility room (24), a reception room (9), a phone room (25) and a gym (40).

5. A prison facility characterized in that said prison facility comprises two pairs of two floor pairs of the prison facility according to the any of the Claims.

Drawing