Case Study | Corrections: Livingston County Jail Expansion

Working with a facility that was over 50 years old that had already gone through two previous expansions, Livingston County found themselves struggling with overcrowding and a less-than-friendly building layout for staff members. The County decided to review options for another expansion, first retaining a local architect to prepare expansion options and construction costs, and then seeking out a corrections expert to review alternatives. Joe Mrak, as an RQAW Corp. team member, served as the lead consultant on the project and presented a creative approach to extend the useful life of the jail by increasing classification opportunities and staff efficiency, all within a budget of $15,500,000.

To inform his recommendations, Joe conducted a peer review to evaluate construction costs, staff efficiency, and phasing feasibility. He also formed a committee to contribute additional insights to the expansion efforts. Livingston County then carried out Joe’s recommendations exactly as was recommended in the peer review study by building a 220-bed housing pod on the east side of the jail that included an elevated control room, modular steel cells, and a double-envelope design. Old housing pods were reverted back to their original uses, and the County expanded its intake to accommodate a larger percentage of female inmates. All of these changes resulted in a more staff-efficient and staff-friendly facility, helped continue the useful life of the jail—a critical facility—and accommodated for additional expansion opportunities in the future.