As teams work together and adapt to changes in facility layouts my blog, the construction process becomes more efficient.

1. Special Management Housing

One of the biggest trends is to design special housing for mental and medical needs. A trend is to design mental health units for men and women separately, in addition medical treatment units. It may be necessary to increase the number of padded cells and those with negative pressure in these conditions. In addition, cameras in cells are needed to monitor prisoners.

A 16-cell block is being converted into a separate prison unit in a replacement prison currently under construction. The owner requested this. The segregated cells have unique features such as a sallyport entry and wire mesh wall around video visitation. The outdoor recreation area is also very safe. The owner also requested that a 16-cell unit be designated as a mental health special unit, with the same features. According to the example given above, slightly more than 10% of all blocks are dedicated to special needs. The client constructed the two units to allow them to have up two or more residents per cell.

2. Boost your capacity

The corrections industry has seen an increase in capacity requirements. Facilities are now in need of more capacity as border security becomes increasingly important.

Comparing the conventional two-man cell with cells that can accommodate four to eight individuals, we are seeing a growing acceptance of the use. The same safety level as a two-man cell can be achieved while reducing the construction costs.

3. New Builds

The economic climate is driving construction or expansion of new facilities.

New constructions may be more expensive, but they are worth it in the end because of their improved safety and efficiency.

The flexibility of a new construction can be used to improve the operational workflow and reduce costs.

New buildings require new equipment. The cost of the new technology is a fraction of the price for the new equipment. Owners are willing to invest a small amount initially because they can reap the rewards of improved performance and efficiency over time. This is a completely different approach from the premium owners will pay to increase the efficiency of a building. The upgrade in this case involves replacing and removing all the existing equipment. This makes it harder to justify the cost.

When agencies look for ways to reduce operating costs and conserve natural resources, they also take into account the total cost of ownership. It is not just construction. The majority of owners pay close attention to the layouts, energy efficiency and security of their new building.

4. Specialty suppliers

Corrections construction will reach a high level in the near future and is already underway. This has led to a need for suppliers and trading partners who are specialized.

This increased demand is expected to continue for a while.

How do contractors handle this issue? To account for the additional lead time, designers tailor their decisions to budget and schedule concerns which fluctuate depending on the current and future projects. The capacity of modular cell suppliers can affect the design around a specific cell type. This can affect the design of the entire structure system. The demand for increased construction can result in longer schedules and more expensive construction. A combination of limited production capacity and increased demand has led to clients choosing contractors earlier. This allows the team to buy products with long lead times and avoid delays.

Construction teams are influenced by the changing design of correctional facilities and the need for more capacity. This influences not only the owners’ view but also their design. Construction teams adapt to changing conditions, ensuring that facilities can meet housing and mental health needs.