How Correctional Facilities benefit from Modular Construction

Modular construction has grown in popularity since its inception because of the speed in which buildings can be built and the variety of ways the buildings can be used. This method of construction is not limited to any particular industry or business. One of the many industries that have taken advantage of modular construction is the Department of Corrections (D.O.C).

According to the National Council of Crime and Delinquency, the United States has the largest incarceration rate in the world. Most of these facilities, whether it’s the local jail or state and federal prisons, are either at full capacity or over capacity. Prison overcrowding poses a great risk not only to inmates, but also to the correctional officers who work there. These risks include but are not limited to:

• Stress among inmates and staff
• Increased risk of violence
• Spread of disease and illness
• Sentence reduction(possibly releasing dangerous offenders into society)

Correctional Facilities use modular prisons to help solve these issues. Modular buildings offer solutions for any type of inmate housing or other support building necessary, such as:

• Minimum to Medium Security inmate housing
• Adult and youth facilities
• Inmate Lockup and holding cells
• Interview, processing, and waiting rooms
• Administrative buildings
• Cafeteria and kitchen areas
• Visitation halls
• Infirmary housing, health facilities

These facilities are built to meet all of the D.O.C codes and standards as well as security and safety concerns. They can include state of the art security features like 1” polycarbonate/glass one-way vision panels and Sergent M9200 institutional locks with tamer-resistant screw plates.

With modular construction the D.O.C. has the option to choose between building a whole new facility or to add temporary or permanent structures to their current facility. This method is a more secure method of construction because most of the construction takes place in a factory, away from the prison. There is less site disturbance and the prison will be back to its normal routine faster than with traditional construction.

By expanding onto an existing facility or building a new correctional facility, modular construction can help elevate the prison overcrowding faster than traditional construction would. Modular prisons improve the working conditions for the staff and the living conditions for inmates.

To learn how you can alleviate prison overcrowding click here.

The Advantages and Importance of Modular Housing for Correctional Facilities

One in every hundred people are incarcerated in the United States today. Due to these high numbers, correctional facilities are overcrowded and in need of inmate housing. Many inmates are facing poor sleeping conditions because of a lack of space including makeshift cots on hard concrete floors. Correctional facilities are choosing modular prison housing as an efficient and quick space solution to ease overcrowding.

Modular housing is a more time efficient solution to inmate overcrowding because buildings can be completed 30-50 percent faster than with traditional construction. This is particularly helpful for correctional facilities needing an immediate solution. In addition to its speed, modular construction also results in less site disruption and reduced material waste.

Modular buildings can be custom designed to suit the needs of each correctional facility with many flexible design options. The different modular options include inmate housing, minimum and medium security buildings, medical facilities, juvenile detention facilities and guard houses.  Buildings can be a temporary or permanent solutions and range from single story open floor bunking to multi-story secluded dormitories.

Modular buildings meet or exceed the same construction codes as traditionally built inmate facilities. In addition, modular buildings adhere to all federal, local and state security and safety concerns. Buildings can be equipped with bulletproof glass, surveillance systems and security doors.

Modular construction is the best way to meet the needs of inmates and the community.