The Hillsborough County Jail off Orient road doesn’t simply just book the “bad” guys. The jail has created multiple intelligence facets that help control, monitor and regulate behavior and access.
Typically, an arrested individual stays at Orient road for under 30 days, however, with courts and other major cases taking up room on court docket, the jail must have several types of housing and supervision for the different types of individuals.
Jail cells aren’t seen as comfortable or homely, but the HCJ has created cells that convey a more social atmosphere. The jail is made up of pods that are broken down into either dormitory style living or confinement. The dorm-style living offers inmates a chance to socialize with others, play hoops or just hang out in and around their cell. Confinement is the bad subdivision, making inmates stay in lockdown for 23 hours of the day.
However, the jail pods have kiosks in them, providing insight to jail news for the inmates. The jail has done a fine job keeping inmates updated with jail minutes, menus, court dates and visitation hours. The kiosk is also a technological step up from the past which involved bugging the deputy on-call.
The jail offers three types of supervision as well. Linear vision, a deputy walks along a line of cells. This form is not good for the safety of cell mates because a deputy can only see what’s going on inside the cell when he or she walks in front of it. Remote vision, a deputy is stationed in an overlooking glass bubble. This form causes problems because deputies can not intervene rapidly with inmates if there was a skirmish. Direct vision, a deputy is in and around the cells 24hours/7days a week. This form allows deputies to walk around and get to know the inmates, establishing a comfort level with the group.
HCJ also provides educational and vocational classes to inmates. Providing computers and internet access to the individuals allows them to keep up with the times and learn.
The jail also has a records request center. This center keeps the records of all inmates until the person is moved or the case is closed. What’s important to note is that if a case is still open, access to all of the records is denied. As well, the HCJ website can inform you what type of file is available, a direct file or warrant or an on scene file or probable cause. The website helps determine if a trip down to the jail is needed.
The HCJ was interesting place to visit, especially, that being my first time in a jail. It appears that the jail is very well maintained and supervised as well as cordial when asked for information.
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