In this chapter:

1. (1) “Administrative confinement” means a nonpunitive confinement of a youth because the youth’s behavior presents a danger to others or poses a serious risk to facility security, including escape or disturbance.
2. (2) “Assessment” means a process for identifying the risks, needs, and protective factors of youth by using an objective and validated assessment tool.
3. (3) “Body cavity search” means a manual inspection of the anal or vaginal cavity of a youth conducted by means of any instrument, apparatus, finger, or object.
4. (4) “Classification” means a process for determining the needs and requirements of those for whom confinement has been ordered and for assigning them to living units and programs according to their needs and existing resources.
5. (5) “Construction plans” mean the site plans, drawings, and specifications for construction or remodeling of a facility.
6. (6) “Contraband” means any item not allowed in a facility by the superintendent.
7. (7) “Dayroom” means an area contiguous to each living unit that is usable and accessible by youth and designed and used for leisure activities but not for sleeping purposes.
8. (8) “Department” means the department of corrections.
9. (9) “Detention strength” means strong enough to resist damage youth could inflict and to maintain safety and security and prevent youth from harming themselves or others.
10. (10) “Dormitory” means a room used for sleeping purposes and designed for occupancy by 3 or more youth.
11. (11) “Facility” means a youth detention facility, the youth portion of a county jail, or the youth detention portion of a secured residential care center for children and youth.
12. (12) “Force” means intentional physical contact between staff and youth to overcome resistance or to compel youth to act or to refrain from acting in a particular way.
13. (13) “Health care assessment” means a process whereby a youth’s health status is evaluated by a qualified health care professional through a physical examination, including questioning the patient about symptoms.
14. (14) “Holding room” means a secure room designed for holding one or more youth of the same gender for the purpose of processing admissions, releases, investigations, or court appearances.
15. (15) “Living area” means the part of a youth detention facility normally occupied by youth, including dayrooms, multipurpose space, and adjacent control centers.
16. (16) “Mechanical restraint” means any device attached to a youth’s body that restricts freedom of movement or normal access to the youth’s body.
17. (17) “Multipurpose room” means an activity area designed and used for programming and services. “Multipurpose room” does not include a sleeping room, dayroom, dormitory, classroom, visiting space, or recreation space.
18. (18) “Natural light” means direct or indirect illumination as provided by the sun or daylight.
19. (19) “Officer” means a juvenile detention officer, as defined under s. 165.85 (2) (bt), Stats.
20. (20) “Pat down search” means an inspection by running the hands over the clothed body of a youth by a staff member to determine whether the youth possesses contraband.
21. (21) “Privileged mail” means any written communication between a youth and an attorney.
22. (22) “Qualified health care professional” means a physician, physician assistant, nurse, nurse practitioner, dentist, mental health professional, or other person who by virtue of their education, credentials, and experience is permitted by law to evaluate and care for patients.
23. (23) “Qualified mental health professional” means a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric social worker, psychiatric nurse, or other person who by virtue of their education, credentials, and experience is permitted by law to evaluate and care for the mental health needs of patients.
24. (24) “Rated bed capacity” means the design capacity approved by the department under this chapter, based on single occupancy sleeping rooms under s. DOC 346.09 (3) (a), double occupancy sleeping rooms under s. DOC 346.09 (3) (b), and dormitories under s. DOC 346.09 (3) (c).
25. (25) “Receiving room” means a secure room designed and used as a sleeping room for one youth during admission, release, observation, or investigatory purposes.
26. (26) “Recreation space” means a room or an area in a facility that is dedicated for youth exercise and recreation.
27. (27) “Secure perimeter” means the outer boundary of a youth detention facility or of the youth portion of a county jail or secured residential care center for children and youth.
28. (28) “Sleeping room” means a room designed and used for one youth confined in a facility except when the facility meets the conditions for double occupancy under s. DOC 346.09 (3) (b).
29. (29) “Social supporter” includes a parent or guardian, foster parent, legal custodian, sibling, other relative, the parent of a youth’s child, the youth’s child, mentor, community-based service provider, educator, clergy member, and other caring and supportive individuals who are a reliable presence for the youth.
30. (30) “Strip search” means a search, as defined under s. 968.255 (1) (b), Stats.

31. (31) “Superintendent” means either of the following:

    1. (a) The individual designated to be in charge of a youth detention facility under s. 938.22 (3) (a), Stats., or the director as specified in s. 938.22 (3) (b), Stats.
    2. (b) In the case of the youth portion of the county jail, the sheriff of a county in which the jail is located pursuant to s. 59.27 (1), Stats.
32. (32) “Unencumbered space” means usable floor space that is not obstructed by furnishings or fixtures.
33. (33) “Youth” means any individual placed or transferred to a facility under the provisions of s. 301.08, Stats., or ch. 938, Stats.
34. (34) “Youth detention facility” means a juvenile detention facility as defined under s. 938.02 (10r), Stats., and includes a stand-alone facility or a facility located in the same building or on the same grounds as a county jail or secured residential care center for children and youth.
35. (35) “Youth detention portion of a secured residential care center for children and youth” means an area that is used for the detention of youth and is collocated with a secured residential care center for children and youth.
36. (36) “Youth portion of a county jail” means an area that is used for the detention of youth and that is part of a county jail.

History

History: CR 24-065: cr. Register July 2025 No. 835, eff. 8-1-25; correction in (22), (23), (31) (intro.), (35) made under s. 35.17, Stats. Register July 2025 No. 835.