Temporary Holding Cells: Wire Mesh Holding Cell Systems
Modular wire mesh holding cells for supervised, short-term confinement while people are processed or detained — for police stations, courthouses, jails, transit and event security.
Supplied and installed nationwide from Salt Lake City — call (800) 326-4403.
Supervised
Short-term confinement
20 sizes
Standard panels 1–10 ft wide
Secure side
No reachable hardware
11 ga
Anchorable steel benches
What is a temporary holding cell?
A temporary holding cell is a secure enclosure for supervised confinement for a short period — while a person is booked, interviewed, waiting for transport or a court appearance. It is not a housing cell. Because the stay is short and staff are present, a modular wire mesh system is a practical alternative to poured or masonry construction: it goes in quickly, uses the building’s existing lighting, HVAC and fire sprinklers, and lets officers see into the cell at all times.
Wire Crafters’ Style 840 partition system is used to build holding cells in correctional and detention centers across the country. MH-USA is an authorized Wire Crafters dealer and lays out and installs these systems as part of our security cage work.
Holding-cell design is governed by your jurisdiction’s detention standards, building and fire codes, and agency policy. We supply and install the enclosure to the design your facility and authority having jurisdiction approve; we do not set confinement standards.
How wire mesh holding cells are built
Clear polycarbonate or sheet metal infill is often specified in lower sections or where officers want a solid surface, while open mesh above keeps sightlines and airflow. The cell installs with standard hand tools, and the panels can be reconfigured or relocated if the station is remodeled. Component details are on our wire partition components page.
Product photos courtesy of Wire Crafters, the Louisville, Kentucky manufacturer; MH-USA is an authorized Wire Crafters dealer.
Holding cell doors and locks
A hinged door with a secure locking device is standard; double hinged, sliding and vertical rise doors are also available, and Wire Crafters’ sliding doors use a patented tamper-resistant latch. Published lock options:
- Standard mortise cylinder lock — self-locking, with a spring-action tongue
- Institutional high-security dead latch lock
- Top and bottom slide bolts added to the door
- Customer-specified locks integrated into the system
More lock and access hardware is on security cage locks and access control and door styles on security cage doors.
Holding cell benches
Anchorable steel benches can be added to the cell or bought separately. As published by Wire Crafters:
- Seat of formed 11 gauge sheet metal, 13 in. wide; an optional cuff rail adds 4 in.
- Pedestal-style legs of welded 2 in. x 2 in. x 14 gauge steel
- 4 in. x 9 in. base plates with four 3/8 in. anchors
- Lengths of 4 ft, 6 ft and 8 ft, with corner units available
Planning a holding cell project
Confirm requirements
Your agency and authority having jurisdiction set occupancy, supervision, sightline, plumbing and fire requirements.
Send a sketch
Room size, ceiling height, door locations, floor type and how many cells.
We lay it out
Panels, ceiling, doors, locks and benches on one drawing for your approval.
Install
Our crews or yours install with hand tools and anchor to the floor.
Holding cells usually sit next to evidence and property functions; see evidence cages, inmate property storage lockers and jail lockers. Floor anchoring is covered in security cage anchoring. Some common panel sizes are in stock at select manufacturers, subject to confirmation.
Shop Wire Mesh Storage Cage Kits Online
These priced kits are storage cages for property, gear and inventory — not holding cells. Holding cells are designed and quoted to your facility.
Prices are the current online prices. See all security cage kits · Need a custom size? Request a security cage quote.
Temporary Holding Cell FAQs
What is a temporary holding cell?
Are wire mesh holding cells secure?
What locks are used on holding cells?
Can benches be added?
Do mesh holding cells work with sprinklers and HVAC?
Can a holding cell be moved later?
Planning a holding cell?
Send the room size, number of cells and your requirements. We will lay out panels, doors, locks and benches and quote them, supplied and installed nationwide.