The brig, which is a medium security facility, confines both male and female military offenders from every branch of service, to include those awaiting trial. Home of the Department of Defense Women’s Correctional Facility, the brig is the only one in the military that is designated for women offenders.

 “About 15 percent of the prisoners here are female,” said Brewster Schenck, the administrative director at the brig. “The women’s unit is staffed by women correctional specialists.”

 The DoD prison system operates on a tier system. Tier one for prisoners awaiting trial or a short term sentence; tier two, which is a regional confinement up to seven years; and tier three, longer than seven years confinement remaining.

 Upon an offender’s arrival to the brig, they are put through an orientation program and classes to identify and assess the probable causes of their criminal behavior.

 The brig is no different physically than any other jail or prison anywhere in the country. Each inmate lives in a six-feet-by-12-feet cell with a small window in the door and outside wall. The difference is the Navy’s emphasis on military discipline at all times, explained Schenck.

 While in the brig, prisoners must adhere to military customs and courtesies, said Sgt. Michelle Davis, the Marine liaison at the brig. They must use rank, salute officers and stand at parade rest while speaking to guards.

 “All the prisoners also wear their respective military uniform,” added Davis.

 Throughout the day, prisoners have tasks such as working in various locations to provide services to the brig as well as the air station to include laundry duty that supports San Diego military facilities region-wide, and producing most signs seen around the station.

 More than 200 military and civilian correctional specialists work at the brig to ensure everything runs smoothly. The brig plans to expand its capacity by an additional 200 beds for inmates prior to 2011.