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This website publishes administrative rules on their effective dates, as designated by the adopting state agencies, colleges, and universities.

Rule 5120:1-8-05 | Sanitation and environmental conditions.

 

(A) Full service jails shall adhere to the following standards for sanitation and environmental conditions.

(1) (Essential) The jail will provide all inmates with hygiene articles at intake and replacement items to indigent inmates.

(2) (Essential) All areas of a full service jail will be safe and sanitary, including the food service and laundry areas. Staff and inmates will have specific housekeeping responsibilities, including, but not limited to, daily cleaning of toilets, urinals, sinks, drinking facilities and showers in areas occupied by inmates and disposal of garbage. Weekly sanitation inspections will be completed by a designated staff person to ensure compliance with housekeeping responsibilities.

(3) (Essential) Monthly sanitation, vermin and safety inspections of all areas will be conducted by a designated trained staff person.

(4) (Important) Regular maintenance and repairs will occur.

(5) (Essential) The jail will be inspected annually by local or state health authorities and a written report will be provided. There will be a written plan to correct jail-related deficiencies.

(6) (Important) All grounds, walkways, driveways and parking areas will be illuminated at night.

(7) The jails will maintain documentation that the following interior lighting standards are met:

(a) (Important) At least twenty foot-candles, measured thirty inches above the floor, in inmate reading areas and inmate living areas.

(b) (Important) Lighting in inmate sleeping areas will be reducible to between two and four foot-candles, measured thirty inches above the floor.

(8) The jail will maintain documentation that the following bedding, linens, and clothing standards are met:

(a) (Important) Bedding and mattresses will be in good repair and cleaned prior to being reissued;

(b) (Important) Clean bed linens and towels will be exchanged once weekly. Issuance of clean linens and towels will be documented;

(c) (Important) Issued clothing will be exchanged and laundered twice weekly. Arrangements are made to exchange or launder personal clothing and undergarments twice weekly;

(d) (Important) Blankets will be cleaned or exchanged at intervals not to exceed thirty-one days;

(e) (Important) Mattresses will be cleaned at intervals not to exceed thirty-one days;

(f) (Important) Bedding, mattresses, towels and clothing will be exchanged or cleaned when soiled.

(g) (Important) Each inmate will be provided the opportunity for a hot shower not to exceed forty-eight hours.

(h) (Important) The jail will make provisions for inmate haircuts.

(i) (Important) Shaving equipment and supplies will be made available daily. Issuance and retrieval of shaving equipment and supplies will be documented.

(j) (Essential) The jail will be inspected annually by a certified local or state fire safety inspector applying the applicable jurisdictional and Ohio Fire Code. The jail will have a written plan to correct any jail-related deficiencies. The jail will maintain documentation of the inspections and any corrective measures taken.

(k) (Essential) The jail will have a written fire safety plan acknowledged by local or state fire officials, and that is reviewed annually and updated as needed. The plan will include fire prevention, training and drills, fire response and post-fire documentation and review.

(l) (Important) Training in jail fire safety equipment will be conducted annually.

(m) (Essential) Fire drills will be conducted at intervals not to exceed ninety days on each shift.

(n) (Essential) Jail furnishings will meet fire safety performance standards.

(o) (Essential) Jail exits will be clear and evacuation routes will be posted or clearly marked throughout the jail.

Last updated December 3, 2025 at 11:39 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 5120.01, 5120.10
Amplifies: 5120.10
Five Year Review Date: 1/14/2030
Prior Effective Dates: 1/2/1981, 6/2/1986, 7/1/1994, 9/21/1998, 1/1/2003, 4/20/2014, 1/6/2020