The Direct Supervision Approach
The Merrimack County Department of Correction serves the community and its criminal justice
system by providing security, supervision, and assistance to persons remanded to our
custody. Our policy is to meet or exceed the the standards set by the American Correctional Association, the National Commission of Correctional Healthcare, the New Hampshire Association of Counties, and the Merrimack County Board of Commissioners.
The House of Correction uses the protocols of the “Direct Supervision” concept of detention. It
operates under a positive-behavior management system designed to meet each individual’s critical
needs and promote individual self-sufficiency and accountability. Each inmates behavior dictates his
or her classification level during the term of their confinement. Positive behavior and compliance
with the rules and regulations leads to incentives and privileges, such as educational programs, visitation, television, recreation, and telephone calls.
Conversely, failure to comply with the rules results in a loss of privileges. Direct supervision is simple,
effective, encourages personal development, and ultimately reduces recidivism.