Chapter DOC 346

DOC 346.09(15) (15) Exterior windows. Each window that leads to the exterior of the facility or to an area outside the secure perimeter of the facility must meet all of the following requirements:

DOC 346.09(15)(a) (a) Have security glass of sufficient strength to resist breakage and maintain safety and security to prevent youth from harming themselves and others and to prevent escape.

DOC 346.09(15)(b) (b) Be mounted in a detention-strength frame and designed to prevent escape and the passage of contraband.

DOC 346.09(15)(c) (c) Prevent persons outside the secure perimeter from entering the facility or observing youth.

DOC 346.09(16) (16) Interior windows. Each window within the secure perimeter of the facility must meet all of the following requirements:

DOC 346.09(16)(a) (a) Have security glass of sufficient strength to resist breakage and maintain safety and security to prevent youth from harming themselves and others and to prevent escape.

DOC 346.09(16)(b) (b) Be mounted in a detention-strength frame and designed to prevent escape and the passage of contraband.

DOC 346.09(17) (17) Exterior doors and approaches.

DOC 346.09(17)(a) (a) Every door exit that leads to the exterior of the facility or to an area outside the secure perimeter shall have detention-strength framing and a threshold designed to prevent the introduction of contraband.

DOC 346.09(17)(b) (b) Every door entering into the secure perimeter shall be of detention strength. Each of these doors shall have a vision panel or other means of observation to permit identification of individuals before they enter an area within the secure perimeter of the facility and to allow observation of an area before entering it.

DOC 346.09(17)(c) (c) Each entry into and from the secure perimeter shall include a secure vestibule that promotes security by the use of 2 or more doors, with each door able to operate independently, used to contain and observe those who pass through the space.

DOC 346.09(17)(d) (d) The exterior of the facility and approaches to the facility shall be well lighted at night to permit observations of persons approaching the facility.

DOC 346.09(18) (18) Interior doors.

DOC 346.09(18)(a) (a) Every door in the secure perimeter shall be of detention strength.

DOC 346.09(18)(b) (b) Each of these doors shall have a means of observation to permit identification of individuals before they enter or exit.

DOC 346.09(19) (19) Walls.

DOC 346.09(19)(a) (a) Exterior walls shall be constructed of reinforced concrete or fully grouted concrete block of at least 8 inches thick, or the walls shall be constructed of materials of similar strength that provide equivalent security.

DOC 346.09(19)(b) (b) Interior walls shall be constructed of reinforced concrete or fully grouted concrete block at least 6 inches thick, or the walls shall be constructed of materials of similar strength that provide equivalent security.

DOC 346.09(19)(c) (c) Interior walls between youth housing areas shall be constructed tight to the structure.

DOC 346.09(20) (20) Ceilings. Ceilings shall be constructed of high-impact detention-strength materials that are escape resistant, resist damage or breakage to prevent youth from harming themselves and others, and prevent passage of contraband.

DOC 346.09(21) (21) Access to controls. Youth shall not have unauthorized access to plumbing, wiring, vents, thermostats, or facility controls. Any youth accessible outlets shall be under facility control.

DOC 346.09(22) (22) Natural light.

DOC 346.09(22)(a) (a) All youth housing areas shall provide youth with access to natural light.

DOC 346.09(22)(b) (b) Artificial light may not be used as an alternative to the natural light requirements pursuant to the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code, chs. SPS 361 to 366.

DOC 346.09(23) (23) Intercom. Two-way audio communication capability shall be provided between any remotely controlled door and its control point.

DOC 346.09 History History: CR 24-065: cr. Register July 2025 No. 835, eff. 8-1-25; correction in (3) (e) (title) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register July 2025 No. 835.

DOC 346.10 DOC 346.10 Physical environment of juvenile detention facilities constructed or substantially remodeled on or after November 1, 2010 but prior to August 1, 2025.

DOC 346.10(1) (1) Applicability. This section applies only to juvenile detention facilities that are constructed or substantially remodeled on or after November 1, 2010 but prior to August 1, 2025.

DOC 346.10(2) (2) Juvenile housing.

DOC 346.10(2)(a) (a) Each juvenile shall have a separate bunk or bed in a cell that meets the requirements of sub. (3) or (4) or in a dormitory that meets the requirements of sub. (5). A facility may not exceed its rated bed capacity.

DOC 346.10(2)(b) (b) The total number of juveniles housed in double cells under sub. (4) and in dormitories under sub. (5) may not exceed 75 percent of the rated bed capacity of the facility.

DOC 346.10(3) (3) Cells.

DOC 346.10(3)(a) (a) Unless sub. (4) applies, all cells for juveniles in a facility shall be designated and used for single occupancy only.

DOC 346.10(3)(b) (b) Unless sub. (4) applies, cells shall have minimum floor area of 35 square feet of unencumbered space. The distance between the floor and ceiling may not be less than 8 feet and the distance between opposite walls may not be less than 6 feet.

DOC 346.10(3)(c) (c) Unless sub. (4) applies, each cell shall have all of the following:

DOC 346.10(3)(c)1. 1. A rigidly constructed metal bed with the frame bracketed to the wall or bolted to the floor or a bed built in masonry construction of a similar strength.

DOC 346.10(3)(c)2. 2. An unbreakable, institution-type mirror.

DOC 346.10(3)(c)3. 3. A detention-strength, metal, institution-type wash basin and toilet. The wash basin and toilet may be combined in one unit. The wash basin shall have hot and cold running water.

DOC 346.10(3)(c)4. 4. A rigidly constructed shelf-type table and seat that are bracketed to the wall or bolted to the floor.

DOC 346.10(3)(c)5. 5. Unless sub. (4) applies, 2 or more nonremovable, collapsible, detention-strength clothing and towel hooks.

DOC 346.10(3)(c)6. 6. Light fixtures of detention strength and providing at least 30 foot-candles at 30 inches above the floor. Lights shall have a dimming capability or there shall be a nightlight to allow for comfortable sleeping. There shall be enough illumination for observation of juveniles during security checks.

DOC 346.10(3)(d) (d) There shall be no exposed heating pipes, radiators or controls in cells.

DOC 346.10(3)(e) (e) There shall be a release system designed to unlock cell doors individually and as a group from a single point outside the confinement area.

DOC 346.10(4) (4) Double celling.

DOC 346.10(4)(a) (a) A juvenile detention facility may use cells for double occupancy. This section does not apply to a juvenile portion of a county jail.

DOC 346.10(4)(b) (b) If a juvenile detention facility determines based on all the criteria under s. DOC 346.13 that placement of a juvenile in a double cell may jeopardize the health or safety of the juvenile, other juveniles in the facility, staff or the community, the juvenile may not be placed in a double cell. If a juvenile detention facility determines based on all the criteria under s. DOC 346.13 that placement of 2 particular juveniles in a double cell may jeopardize the health or safety of either juvenile, other juveniles in the facility, staff, or the community, those juveniles may not be placed together in a double cell.

DOC 346.10(4)(c) (c) In addition to the requirements for single occupancy cells under sub. (3) and before a cell may be used for double occupancy, all of the following conditions shall be met:

DOC 346.10(4)(c)1. 1. ‘Minimum floor area.’

DOC 346.10(4)(c)1.a. a. In juvenile detention facilities that are constructed or substantially remodeled between October 1, 1994, and November 1, 2010, a cell shall have a minimum floor area of 70 square feet. The distance between the floor and ceiling may not be less than 8 feet and the distance between opposite walls may not be less than 6 feet.

DOC 346.10(4)(c)1.b. b. In juvenile detention facilities that were constructed before October 1, 1994, and have not been substantially remodeled after October 1, 1994, a cell shall have a minimum floor area of 54 square feet. The distance between the floor and ceiling may not be less than 8 feet and the distance between opposite walls may not be less than 6 feet.

DOC 346.10(4)(c)1.c. c. In juvenile detention facilities that are constructed or substantially remodeled after November 1, 2010, a cell shall have a minimum floor area of 70 square feet of unencumbered space.

DOC 346.10(4)(c)2. 2. ‘Receiving cells.’ Receiving cells may not be used for double occupancy.

DOC 346.10(4)(c)3. 3. ‘Single occupancy cells.’ Each juvenile detention facility shall maintain a minimum of 2 cells that are designed and used for single occupancy only.

DOC 346.10(4)(c)4. 4. ‘Double occupancy cells.’ A juvenile detention facility may not exceed 75% double occupancy of the total number of cells, excluding receiving cells and holding rooms.

DOC 346.10(4)(c)5. 5. ‘Clothing hooks.’ Each cell shall contain a minimum of 2 nonremovable, collapsible, detention-strength clothing and towel hooks for each occupant.

DOC 346.10(4)(c)6. 6. ‘Anti-rollout plates.’ For facilities constructed or substantially remodeled after November 1, 2010, all upper bunks shall be equipped with an anti-rollout plate.

DOC 346.10(5) (5) Dormitories.

DOC 346.10(5)(a) (a) A juvenile detention facility may use dormitories in addition to cells for the secure detention of juveniles.

DOC 346.10(5)(b) (b) Each dormitory shall be designed for a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 8 juveniles.

DOC 346.10(5)(c) (c) If a juvenile detention facility contains one dormitory, it shall have a minimum of 2 cells designed and used for single occupancy.

DOC 346.10(5)(d) (d) If more than one dormitory is built, the number of dormitory beds may not exceed 50 percent of the rated bed capacity of the juvenile detention facility.

DOC 346.10(5)(e) (e) If, based on all the criteria under s. DOC 346.13, a juvenile detention facility determines that placement of a juvenile in a dormitory may jeopardize the health or safety of the juvenile, other juveniles in the facility, staff, or the community, the juvenile may not be placed in a dormitory.

DOC 346.10(5)(f) (f) Each dormitory shall have all of the following:

DOC 346.10(5)(f)1. 1. A minimum combined sleeping area and adjacent day room space of 70 square feet per juvenile based on rated bed capacity of the dormitory, excluding toilets, showers, and lavatories.

DOC 346.10(5)(f)2. 2. A minimum floor-to-ceiling height of 8 feet.

DOC 346.10(5)(f)3. 3. Non-locking doors on sleeping rooms, if separate sleeping rooms are provided.

DOC 346.10(5)(f)4. 4. Unrestricted physical access to the day room, lavatories, and toilets.

DOC 346.10(5)(f)5. 5. A rigidly constructed metal bed with the frame bracketed to the wall or bolted to the floor for each juvenile based on the rated bed capacity of the dormitory.

DOC 346.10(5)(f)6. 6. For facilities constructed or substantially remodeled after November 1, 2010, all upper bunks equipped with an anti-rollout plate.

DOC 346.10(5)(f)7. 7. Detention-strength washbasins and toilets.

DOC 346.10(5)(f)8. 8. Unbreakable, detention-strength mirrors sufficient for the number of juveniles confined.

DOC 346.10(5)(f)9. 9. Detention-strength tables and seating in the day room based on the rated bed capacity of the dormitory.

DOC 346.10(5)(f)10. 10. Two nonremovable, collapsible, detention-strength clothing and towel hooks for each juvenile confined based on the rated bed capacity of the dormitory.

DOC 346.10(5)(f)11. 11. Detention-strength light fixtures that provide at least 30 foot-candles at 30 inches above the floor. Lights shall have a dimming capability or there shall be a nightlight to allow for comfortable sleeping. There shall be enough illumination for observation of juveniles during security checks.

DOC 346.10(6) (6) Day room.

DOC 346.10(6)(a) (a) Each day room shall have all of the following:

DOC 346.10(6)(a)1. 1. A minimum floor area of 35 square feet for each juvenile based on the rated bed capacity of the adjacent group of cells. In addition, each day room shall have a minimum of 70 square feet of unencumbered space.

DOC 346.10(6)(a)2. 2. Detention-strength light fixtures that provide at least 30 foot-candles at 30 inches above the floor.

DOC 346.10(6)(a)3. 3. Adequate furnishings and equipment for leisure time activities as required under this chapter.

DOC 346.10(6)(a)4. 4. Detention-strength tables and seating based on the rated bed capacity of the adjacent cells.

DOC 346.10(6)(b) (b) There shall be in the day room no exposed heating pipes, radiators, or controls that are accessible to juveniles.

DOC 346.10(7) (7) Holding rooms.

DOC 346.10(7)(a) (a) Holding rooms shall be located in an area that allows continuous staff observation or electronic video surveillance of juveniles.

DOC 346.10(7)(b) (b) Each holding room shall have all of the following:

DOC 346.10(7)(b)1. 1. Detention-strength, rigidly constructed seats or benches bracketed to the wall or bolted to the floor or seats or benches of masonry construction of similar strength.

DOC 346.10(7)(b)2. 2. A detention-strength, metal, institution-type wash basin and toilet.

DOC 346.10(7)(b)3. 3. A minimum floor area of 50 square feet of unencumbered space for 5 or fewer occupants and an additional 10 square feet of unencumbered space for each additional occupant.

DOC 346.10(7)(b)4. 4. Detention-strength light fixtures that provide at least 30 foot-candles at 30 inches above the floor.

DOC 346.10(7)(c) (c) Holding rooms are not included in the rated capacity of a facility.