Pennsylvania County Prison Requirements, 37 Pa. Code §95.248(2): Monthly Vermin and Pest Control by a Qualified Person

Citation

Pennsylvania Code, Title 37, Chapter 95 (County Correctional Institutions), § 95.248, “Sanitation, maintenance and safety,” paragraph (2). Read from the official Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin site (current through 56 Pa.B. 4026, July 4, 2026) on September 26, 2026. Source note as printed: readopted May 18, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 1619; amended October 10, 2008, effective October 13, 2009, 38 Pa.B. 5627.

What It Says (Verbatim)

§95.248(2):

“(2) Written local policy must identify a sanitation and housekeeping plan. This plan must address all prison areas and provide for daily housekeeping and regular maintenance by assigning specific duties and responsibilities to staff and inmates. Inmates shall be required to maintain their immediate living area and adjacent general space in a sanitary condition. The control of vermin and pests shall be addressed on a monthly basis by a qualified person, with documentation of the application of any pest or vermin control treatment. A sanitation inspection shall be conducted of all prison areas on a monthly basis to determine the health and safety status of the prison and the need for action. The results of this inspection shall be documented and submitted to the prison administrator or a designee.”

§95.220b(2)(xi), essential requirements:

“(xi) Section 95.248(2), (4), (5) and (7)—(9) (relating to sanitation and safety).”

§95.230(2), food storage:

“Food shall be stored and prepared in a proper manner to assure freshness and to prevent spoilage and damage from insects and rodents.”

What It Means in Plain Language

1. Monthly. Vermin and pests are addressed every month.
2. A qualified person. The rule does not define the term or name a license; the facility should be able to show why its person is qualified.
3. Every treatment documented. The application of any pest or vermin control treatment is documented.
4. Essential. §95.248(2) is on the Department’s list of essential requirements, whose violation draws a citation of noncompliance.
5. Monthly sanitation inspection of all prison areas, documented and submitted to the prison administrator.

Who It Applies To

Every county prison, which is subject to an annual Department of Corrections inspection for compliance with Chapter 95 (§95.220b(1)).

37 Pa. Code § 95.220b (Scope):

“Each section sets forth minimum requirements, which are mandatory.”

Documentation Evidence

• The written sanitation and housekeeping plan
• Monthly pest and vermin records showing who addressed them and their qualifications
• Documentation of each pest or vermin control treatment applied
• Monthly sanitation inspection reports submitted to the prison administrator
• Food storage conditions (§95.230(2))

Confidence Notes

HIGH confidence. Read from the official Pennsylvania Code site, section page and full-chapter page. The site’s footer restricts reproduction for profit; that is a site notice, not a claim over the rule text.