Final answer:
Gang release systems are required for quickly unlocking groups of cells in emergencies, with standards generally mandating them for a specific number of contiguous cells or secure rooms in correctional facilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gang release systems, whether manual or electric with manual backup, are important safety features in correctional facilities. These systems are used to quickly unlock a series of cells in the event of an emergency, such as a fire or natural disaster. The question refers to a specific operational requirement and although the exact number of cells or secure rooms needed to necessitate such a system isn't provided in the question, standards typically mandate gang release systems for all groups of a certain minimum number of contiguous cells or secure rooms. This suggests an interest in the regulations surrounding safety equipment in institutional facilities like prisons or detention centers.