Keys and locks for detention doors shall be manufactured especially for detention use, and keys shall be which type?

• A. Paracentric
• B. Ward
• C. Pin tumbler
• D. Tubular

Answer: (A)

The key idea is security through a specialized keyway design. Detention doors need locks that resist unauthorized manipulation, and a paracentric keyway provides that by having an irregular, off-center shape. This makes it much harder for a generic skeleton key or common picking methods to operate the lock, and it supports the use of tightly controlled, specially issued keys that aren’t easy to duplicate or imitate.

In contrast, warded locks rely on wards inside the mechanism and can be bypassed with skeleton keys, which is why they’re considered less secure for detention use. Pin tumbler and tubular locks are common but do not inherently offer the extra protection provided by a paracentric keyway, which is specifically favored for high-security detention applications.