In-Depth Analysis | OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, FLORIDA

Since the capacity and function of the Okeechobee County Jail is part of the overall Justice System, Securitecture’s in-depth Pre-Design | Project Definition assessment encompassed the County’s entire Justice System—not just the jail. This nine-month intensive study was performed in four distinct phases, as indicated here:

1. Pre-Project
2. Strategic Planning / Facility Review
3. Staff and Space Programming
4. Conceptual Design

Steps 2-3 of the study evaluated the existing facility, determined space and staffing needs, and detailed the 20-year needs of Okeechobee County’s Justice System. The major recommendations were to:

• Increase Inmate Capacity from 232 to 500 beds
• Replace the failing infrastructure of the existing Housing Pods
• Replace and enlarge the failing Kitchen and Laundry Facilities and Infrastructure
• Expand and reconfigure the existing Intake and Classification Center
• Accommodate the present and future needs of the Sheriff’s Office
• Create a larger facility that minimizes the need for additional staff
• Develop a plan that is expandable and can be implemented in phases

With these conclusions in mind, Securitecture conducted a two-day Conceptual Design Charrette (Step 4) to define how best to implement these recommendations and establish their associated costs. The Charrette included County stakeholders in developing multiple design concepts that would meet the long-term facilities needs of the County Jail. During this two-day period, the charette team developed five new design options and 16 renovation and addition concepts. To address operational concerns for these potential designs, Securitecture developed detailed construction costs and project costs, along with staffing and operational budgets, for the final seven options. All were comparatively evaluated for Advantages and Disadvantages, Inmate Capacity, Construction Costs, Staffing and Operational Costs, and Constructability—from which the County selected design Option “P.”

Design Options Summary Sample

Statement of Probable Cost

With Design Option “P” selected, the County authorized Securitecture to complete schematic designs for the entire addition and renovation project scope. The final design includes new, larger, 224-bed housing pods with 2 classrooms and an indoor/outdoor recreation area within the pod that replaced existing antiquated, non-compliant housing pods. This approach was the foundation of the new design concept used for the facility.

Design Innovations:

Securitecture incorporated numerous jail housing and design innovations that significantly reduce construction costs, staffing requirements, and expense for ongoing operations and maintenance while increasing operational efficiency, security, and the speed of construction from start to finish. Some of these features include:

• A single, elevated control room for single-point control and observation
• Industrialized building systems and components
• Use of prefabricated modular steel cells, control room and toilet/shower components
• Enhanced cell layout for greater security and less maintenance
• “Double-Envelope” design with a continuous exterior mechanical chase

The advantages of these innovations are plentiful and provide many short-term benefits as well as long-term features enhancing security and lowering operational and maintenance costs.

Single, Elevated Control Room:

The single, elevated control room increases visibility, enhances security, and reduces costs.

• Elevated approximately ten (10) feet above the floor allows for observation of:
  • All cell fronts, all dayrooms, inmate corridors
  • Indoor and outdoor recreation areas
  • Program and classroom areas
• Allows observation of direct supervision floor
  officers and other control rooms
• Less “attack-prone” and no blind spots
• Reduces construction costs by reducing glass area and thickness
• Allows for improved classification by eliminating cross-visibility of inmates

Use of Industrialized Building Systems and Products:

The use of industrialized building systems and products helps save construction costs and speeds up the pace of construction. When combined with conventional construction, they can be cost-effective and secure.

• Pre-engineered steel buildings
• Pre-cast concrete panels
• Prefabricated wall panels
• Modular components
• Non-proprietary systems—off-the-shelf components

Prefabricated Modular Steel Cells:

Prefabricated, modular steel cells (“boxes”) manufactured in a factory setting as opposed to using conventional construction offer significant cost and time advantages.

• Quality of “boxes” is superior and faster to construct
  • Manufactured in controlled factory environment vs. on the construction site
  • Manufactured off-site while on-site construction work progressing
  • Arrives at construction site with all equipment installed & painted
• Factory labor rates less expensive than field labor rates
• “Boxes” have no seams so are more secure with cleaning/sanitation easier and faster; items like razor blades, etc., cannot be hidden
• Interior finish of factory-built cell is superior to field-applied coatings, especially polyurea coatings available on modular
  steel cells
• Lightweight “boxes” allows for reduced size of footings and foundations for lower costs

Enhanced Cell Layouts:

Cell layouts are designed to reduce inmate movement, improve observation, increase security, and lessen maintenance costs.

• Shower in every cell reduces inmate movement in and out of cells, improves observation, and reduces MEP costs
• All furnishings included: beds, table, stool, toilet, shower, mirror, shelves, hooks, light fixture, door, frame, lock, window, intercom
• Reduces construction costs with all utilities already available in every cell—hot and cold water, sanitary drain, supply air vent, exhaust air vent, light fixtures
• Stainless steel window is most secure and most maintenance-free
• Special cell coatings are more durable with lower maintenance; seamless, so more easily cleaned and sanitized

Double-Envelope Design with Continuous Rear Chase:

“Double-Envelope” design with a continuous rear chase saves money and makes the jail facility easier to maintain. The secure perimeter of the facility is actually the rear wall of the cell, with an environmental enclosure surrounding it. This allows for easier maintenance access and keeps maintenance staff completely separated from the inmate population.

• Secure perimeter is rear wall of the cell; exterior building wall is environmental enclosure, which does not need to be secure; doubles as observation corridor
• Building exterior can look like any type of building; can blend in with community
• Windows in cells do not align with exterior wall windows, preventing outside visual contact
• Continuous rear plumbing chase for greater security; no inmate interaction or lockdowns
  • Easier access for maintenance; can be locally serviced
  • Maintenance staff and tools kept separate from inmate population
• Potential solar energy systems for water and space heating; photovoltaics

The final design encompasses a 181,411 s.f. renovation and addition solution, which meets the County’s 20- to 40-year corrections needs while improving every area of the facility.

The project is currently being constructed in phases as the County determines funding for the project. As phases are funded and authorized for construction, Securitecture issues the plans for permitting and construction for each individual construction phase.

 

Schematic Design Graphics—Overall Floor Plan:

Currently, Phase 1a (224-bed Housing Pod and the new Central Plant) is nearing construction completion. Once construction is complete, inmates will vacate an old, existing Housing Pod and relocate into the new modern Housing Unit. The vacated Housing Pod will be demolished to make way for the new Kitchen and Laundry Facilities (Phase 1b), and a second 224-bed Housing Pod (Phase 2) will be constructed as funding is completed.

The remainder of the project (Phase 3 Intake and Booking, Sheriff’s Office, and Patrol Garage) will be funded and constructed in the near future.

Aerial View of Site Construction

Securitecture continues to provide full construction administration services as the architect of record. We respond to the Construction Manager’s requests for information, provide shop drawing submittal reviews, conduct regular site visits, and attend Owner/Architect/ Contractor Meetings and presentations at monthly County Commissioners Meetings.

Securitecture was instrumental in designing a 181,411 s.f. renovation and addition to the Okeechobee County Jail, which will double its capacity from 231 beds to 492 beds without having to add a single staff position. Modular and industrial construction methods and materials are being utilized, reducing construction costs yet able to meet local hurricane code wind loads. The Securitecture design solution accommodates Okeechobee County’s 20- to 40-year corrections needs while improving every area of the facility. It also preserves the capability for future expansion on the existing site.