NCJ Number
46932
Date Published
1978
Length
130 pages
Annotation
A BASIC PHILOSOPHY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OR RENOVATION OF CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES IS PRESENTED, FOLLOWED BY AN EXAMINATION OF VARIOUS TYPES OF FACILITIES ALREADY BUILT AND SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CALIFORNIA.
Abstract
THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAS ESTABLISHED A NUMBER OF GOALS FOR CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECT THEIR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN. UNDER THESE GOALS THE FACILITIES ARE TO BE 'AS SAFE AND HUMANE AN ENVIRONMENT AS POSSIBLE,' PROVIDE 'AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL SKILLS AND TO PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAMS THAT HAVE PERSONAL RELEVANCE,' AND 'OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE IN PRODUCTIVE WORK.' THE REPORT DISCUSSES THESE GOALS IN TERMS OF DESIGN OF HOUSING UNITS, PROVISIONS FOR WORK AND STUDY SPACE, AND ARCHITECTURAL FACILITIES THAT COMBINE SECURITY WITH A HUMANE SETTING PLUS EASE OF ADMINISTRATION. SITE PLANS ARE INCLUDED TO ILLUSTRATE POSSIBLE STRATEGIES FOR EXPANSION OR REMODELING OF EXISTING FACILITIES, CONSTRUCTON OF NEW FACILITIES, AND REPLACEMENT OF SUBSTANDARD UNITS. A CHECKLIST FOR EVALUATION OF AN EXISTING FACILITY IS GIVEN. THE POSSIBILITY OF ABANDONING AN UNSUITABLE FACILITY AND SELLING THE LAND FOR MONEY TO BUILD A BETTER AND MORE SUITABLE FACILITY ELSEWHERE IS DISCUSSED. THIS IS CONSIDERED THE MOST ECONOMICAL ALTERNATIVE ESPECIALLY IF THE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION OCCUPIES VALUABLE REAL ESTATE. THE DESIGNS OF MAXIMUM, MEDIUM, AND MINIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTIONS IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES OF EUROPE, JAPAN, AND THE U.S.A. ARE DISCUSSED. SKETCHES OF SITE LAYOUT AND A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT ARE INCLUDED FOR EACH OF THE FACILITIES. DETAILED PLANS ARE THEN SUGGESTED FOR THE MAJOR CALIFORNIA CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. A DESIGN CONCEPT FOR A NEW CORRECTIONS FACILITY IS PRESENTED AND A DETAILED CASE STUDY OUTLINE FOR THE RENOVATION OF SAN QUENTIN IS SET FORTH. BOTH OF THESE ARE ILLUSTRATED WITH ARCHITECTURAL SKETCHES. APPENDIXES PRESENT SUPPORTING COST DATA FOR EACH ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTED, A DESCRIPTION OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORK REQUIRED, AND ESTIMATES OF MAINTENANCE COSTS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL NEW CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES SERVE APPROXIMATELY 400 PERSONS, THAT THE OPTIMUM SIZE FOR SUCH FACILITIES BE 30 ACRES, AND THAT LIVING FACILITIES BE IN CLUSTERS OF 48-ROOM HOUSING UNITS, WITH SMALLER 8-ROOM UNITS WITHIN THE CLUSTER. (GLR)