The National Detention Standards (NDS) define baseline requirements for many detention facilities. As standards are revised, facilities need to understand what the current revision requires and where their operations need to catch up. Here is how to approach NDS 2025.
What are the National Detention Standards?
The National Detention Standards are one of the standard sets used to govern detention facilities, alongside the Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS) and Family Residential Standards (FPBDS). Which set applies to a given facility depends on its contract and population. NDS-governed facilities are audited against the NDS revision specified in their agreement.
Why the revision matters
When a standard set is revised, expectations for documentation, operations, and staff practice can shift. A facility that continues to operate against a prior revision risks findings even if it was fully compliant before. The first step is always to confirm, in writing, the exact standard and revision your facility is held to.
Where changes typically land
Across standards revisions, the areas that most often see updated expectations include:
- Documentation and recordkeeping requirements
- Sexual safety provisions aligned with SAAPI/PREA
- Medical and mental health care access
- Grievance systems and language access
- Use-of-force review and reporting
- Staff training and verification
The practical work is mapping each updated requirement to a specific policy, post order, log, or training record — and confirming that practice on the floor matches.
A readiness approach
Treat a standards revision like an audit you assign to yourself. Conduct a gap analysis against the current revision, update policy and post orders where needed, refresh staff training on any changed obligations, and validate readiness with a mock review before a formal audit. Build a corrective action plan for anything that cannot be resolved immediately.
How CCS helps
CCS trains and audits under PBNDS, NDS (including NDS 2025), and FPBDS, and our team includes official detention standards trainers for ICE/ERO personnel. We conduct gap analyses, align policy and procedure, deliver staff training, and run compliance reviews so your facility is ready for the current standard — not the last one.