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Adult Detention Center Inmate Housing

The Adult Detention Center (ADC) is unique in the nation because it provides four forms of jail housing: direct, linear, podular and single cell.
The Fairfax County jail houses male and female inmates.
Both male and female deputy sheriffs manage the inmate population.
The average daily inmate population is about 1,300.

Direct Supervision

Deputies work inside the cell block with the inmates 24 hours a day, without any separation from them. This concept provides for active and continuous supervision of the inmates to better manage those inmates who have less serious offenses.

Women in direct supervision cell block watch TV or work at tables.

Linear Supervision

Linear supervision consists of deputies monitoring their floor by patrolling down a corridor. Each floor has numerous cell blocks which can house up to five inmates each. This type of supervision replicates a prison setting where inmates are separated from deputies.

From the hallway, deputies open the door to a linear cell block.

From the day room inside the linear cell block, deputies check the individual cells.

Podular Remote Supervision

Inmates' cells are arranged around a common area, usually called a dayroom. The deputy is separated from the inmates in a secure control booth.

Deputy sits inside the secure control booth with a 360 degree view of the pods.

Single Cell Supervision

Single cell supervision is the most restrictive and intensive type of inmate supervision. It provides maximum safety and security for both inmates and staff by housing the inmates individually in cells. Deputies monitor inmates by patrolling corridors, which are arranged in a similar fashion to linear supervision. Single cell supervision assists deputies in working with the specific special needs of inmates.