NCJ Number
110255
Journal
American Jails Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1988) Pages: 18-22
Date Published
1988
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The design of the new Shawnee County Adult Detention Facility (Kansas) was based on informed judgment, a study of needs and problems, and the determination of goals.
Abstract
Planning for the new facility began with exploration that involved discussions with the National Institute of Corrections staff and the PONI I program (Planning of New Institutions: orientation and initial planning). Initial planning began with an analysis of jail data, and a citizens' advisory committee was formed to help identify program needs. The design team, composed of jail staff and representatives of the architectural firm, visited 'new generation' jails in various parts of the Nation. Goals which influenced the design were flexibility (designing areas to permit program changes without new construction) and the reduction of staff intensiveness. Achieving the latter goal involved reducing staff travel within the facility, minimizing the number of staff required to run the facility, and reducing the disruptions of mass movements of inmates into and out of living areas. The provision of a medical area to house sick inmates has helped reduce the travel of medical personnel within the facility. The reduction of staff has been achieved by such measures as designing visitation that does not require extra staff to escort visitors or inmates. The reduction of mass movements of inmates has been achieved by having most services brought into the pod rather than having to take the inmate to the service.