Jails & Institutions

The Cuyahoga County Board of Health conducts a jail/institution program under the authority of Ohio Revised Code 3709.22.  Jail inspections are conducted free of charge upon request from jail administrators.  Typically inspections are conducted annually, although additional inspections may be initiated by complaint.

The criteria for inspections exists in the Ohio Department of Health publication Institutional Sanitation Inspection Guidelines.  The principles of the guidelines can be described under the following premises:

1) Persons confined to an institution should be afforded basic sanitary conditions provided to those outside of confinement.   Under this principle, the following items are among those considered in an inspection:
     
* Freedom from infestation of insects or rodents
* Working plumbing fixtures, including access to toilet, handwashing and showers.  Access to potable water.
* Liquid resistant bedding
* No accumulation of filth, dirt, mold, etc.
* Availability of basic personal hygiene items
* Maintenance of acceptable temperatures (76°F in summer, 68°F in winter)
* Adequate ventilation
* No overcrowding
* Provision of regular meals
* Provision for regular collection and disposal of solid waste

2) Persons confined to an institution may have little regard for the facility or their own personal safety.  Under this principle, the following items are considered:

* General construction is of a resilient design
* Facilities are maintained to prevent accident or safety hazards
* Access to immediate emergency medical service

Records of inspections are public information and available upon request.

For further information, contact the program manager:
Matt Johnson 216.201.2000 extension 1238   mjohnson@ccbh.net