RQAW | DCCM NEWS

With over 30 years of extensive involvement in all aspects of jail design at RQAW | DCCM, I have observed a remarkable evolution of county jails, from basic incarceration facilities to ones that offer a more comprehensive approach to rehabilitation and reduction in recidivism. Utilization of advanced construction systems, modularization, and technology has expanded the capabilities of jails, beyond what was possible a few decades ago. However, the constantly changing correctional design environment due to alterations in legislation, inmate populations, budgets, and resources has necessitated constant adaptation. In the last five years, RQAW | DCCM has taken proactive steps towards developing a fully customizable, fully self-contained podular design. This design not only provides our clients with a tailored, cost-effective solution but also addresses programmatic and staff efficiency needs during a time of reduced workforces and heightened awareness of wellness and well-being. (See Figure 1) Figure 1 RQAW | DCCM’s innovative approach to housing pod design allows for up to 300+ inmates around a single elevated control room, with complete sight and sound separation for up to 12 smaller classification units. With a more diverse population, the need for smaller treatment units has been greater than ever. Our designs provide more normalized environment, with all the required support and treatment spaces within the housing unit including classrooms, video arraignment, interview rooms, isolation/padded cells, and medical spaces. Controlled access allows for self-directed movement of inmates, leading to fewer opportunities for conflict and better utilization of staff. A mix of 2-person and 4-person cells and dormitories provides incentivized options for inmates as they move through the system toward becoming productive and responsible members of society. (See Figure 2 & 3) Figure 2Figure 3 Looking ahead, we believe that the “jail of tomorrow” must have a more focused attention to the restoration of the human spirit for those incarcerated. There have been ongoing discussions around deinstitutionalization, but designers must find ways to contribute to it. We need to be innovative visionaries that help with the problem. The facilities of the future must allow for a multi-faceted approach to the underlying problems causing such a large increase in our incarcerated population. Facilities need to be able to address the entire process from onboarding to outboarding, placing greater emphasis on creating Intervention Centers, which will provide opportunities for trained professionals to fully understand the scope and cause of the problem. This approach allows for early classification and implementation of a targeted-care perspective. It is vital that our jail designs shift toward smaller, more specialized facilities in a campus-like environment that provide better care for inmates with specific needs, such as mental health issues or substance abuse problems. (See Figure 4 & 5) Figure 4 Figure 5 Mental health facilities are changing how county jails function by providing specialized care for inmates with mental health issues, but they will have to be more involved at the county jail level. This could involve offering counseling services, medication management, and other forms of treatment to help address their mental health needs. Mental health facilities are also changing how county jails approach discipline and punishment. Instead of relying solely on punitive measures such as solitary confinement, jails are increasingly using therapeutic approaches to address behavioral issues. Moreover, there must be an increased focus on restorative justice, which aims to repair harm caused by criminal behavior through a collaborative process involving the victim, the offender, and the community. This process would involve more restorative justice programs being offered within county jails as well as a greater emphasis on community-based alternatives to incarceration. (See Figure 6) Figure 6 RQAW | DCCM is committed to being the leader in providing viable, innovative solutions to address the evolving future of jails, as we grapple with changing laws and ideologies. We believe that our design expertise in the “jail of tomorrow” will bring positive impacts to the lives of inmates, the staff, and the community at large.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) is providing aid in the amount of $130 B to help local counties, cities, and towns mitigate damage from the COVID-19 pandemic. Smaller communities should expect to receive the first half of funds directly from the State between May 11th and August 9th. Larger communities will collect money directly from the Treasury. The second tranche will be delivered no earlier than one year from the receipt of the first payment. Curious what your county, city, or town will receive? Indiana state and local allocations can be found here: https://www.in.gov/sboa/files/Copy-of-State-and-Local-Allocation-Output-03.08.21-3.xlsx How can I use these funds? Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.* Increase hourly wages above the base hourly wage for essential employees or issue a grant to their employers. Reimburse revenue spent on certain COVID-19 expenses directly related to the pandemic. Provide aid to private employers directly impacted by the pandemic. What other information should I know? According to the information provided in the ARP, each community must have a separate account to receive the funds. Entitlement cities, larger ones receiving funds direct from the Treasury, will need to ensure they have an active SAM registration on sam.gov. Non-entitlement communities need a valid DUNS number which is a nine-character number from Dun & Bradstreet. If your community collects more than $750,000 of federal assistance in a calendar year, the money will go through a “single audit” by the State Board of Accounts. Funds from the ARP are included along with other federal grants, funds, and awards to reach this total. Plan to keep thorough records. The Treasury will require periodic reports on how funds are being utilized and may even continue for years after the money has been spent. Unlike funds received in previous COVID-19 relief bills that do not have a deadline, ARP money must be spent by December 31, 2024. Next Steps Develop a plan for your community to use the funds. Determine local goals and how to achieve them, and list by priority. Strategically combine with other funding options. This allocation may be able to benefit your community more by incorporating other relief bill capital and utilizing other grant and loan options. Share your success with residents and neighbors! *The statute states that the allowable infrastructure includes water, sewer, or broadband. It is unclear at this point if waste and stormwater are allowable uses. As for other infrastructure projects, we will have to wait for Treasury guidance to see what is considered a permissible use. https://www.nlc.org/covid-19-pandemic-response/arp-local-relief-frequently-asked-questions/#how-to-funds

A long-awaited and much-needed expansion of the Johnson County jail has been given the final approval it needs, and county officials can now look for a company to do the work. The Johnson County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved plans for the expansion during a special meeting on Monday. The addition to the existing jail was designed by RQAW Corp., a Fishers-based architecture and engineering firm. Now, the county will use the approved plans to solicit bids for the multi-million dollar expansion. The county will likely select a contractor next month, and construction is expected to begin next spring. The expansion will take a year to a year and a half to complete, commissioner Kevin Walls said. The exact cost of the jail will not be known until a bid is accepted during a public meeting, Walls said. Latest estimates put the cost between $20 million and $25 million, and the Johnson County Council passed a local income tax earlier this year to pay for the expansion. It took effect last week. For years, county officials and multiple sheriffs have grappled with how to address a chronic overcrowding issue at the jail. In 2010, voters rejected a $23 million referendum that would have added 400 beds to the existing 322 beds at the jail on Hospital Road in Franklin. Since then, the state has ordered the county to remedy the jail’s overcrowding issues. A committee made up of county leaders, judges and law enforcement professionals who spent years studying how to fix the jail overcrowding decided expanding the existing facility would be the best option. The expansion includes adding 264 beds in a new wing of the jail and pull-in bays for arresting officers, and revamping the intake and medical areas of the jail. The expansion’s main feature is a new building that will be built to the west of the existing jail, connected by a walkway. The addition will include about 74 new cells on two floors. Those cells will be designed to hold two, four or six inmates, depending on size, Walls said. The expansion will also feature a central command center, which is a raised tower in the middle of all the cells so jail workers can monitor and see all the inmates at all times, Walls said. Medical rooms and a three bay pull-in for arresting officers is also being added. The jail’s intake center will also be revamped as part of the plans. Read the original article, posted on the Daily Journal here.

On Friday, June 28th, excited citizens and county officials gathered to celebrate the opening of Hamilton County’s new jail addition. This new portion of the structure integrates with the existing and adds 120 beds to the overall facility with future planning of Phase 2 that will add 136 more beds. This was a much-awaited event as the new facility provides safety and alleviates overcrowding, but also provides an opportunity to focus more on inmate rehabilitation. A key speaker at the ceremony, Sheriff Dennis Quakenbush, spoke about the rapid growth of Hamilton County and commented further on how the expansion of the jail will provide pathways to recovery and rehabilitation of inmates. He went on to say, “The strong relationships with the community and its non-profit and corporate partners are a direct correlation to keeping Hamilton County a safe place to live.” Another speaker during the ceremony, Commissioner Steve Dillinger stated, “We have taken all the right avenues to be proactive and keep Hamilton County the safe place that it is.” One of the main focal points of RQAW’s design for the new addition was to create better efficiency and safety for both staff and inmates. Security is controlled by state-of-the-art technology and a single control point. This design allows up to 11 classifications with natural daylighting, calming colors, and future beds without the need to increase staff. This new expansion is a self-contained pod with classrooms, medical space, isolation rooms, interview rooms, and padded cells. Maintenance can be done utilizing a rear chase access. All work can be completed safely outside the secure perimeter without inmate interference or disruption.

Last Friday, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Christopher Kelley Leader Development Program (CKLDP) hosted the inaugural class of the Indiana chapter at RQAW’s Fishers location. The session explored AIA CKLDP’s concept of “Expanding the Definition of Practice.” The year-long program helps develop architecture leaders by focusing on skills such as management, collaboration, negotiation, industry trends, client growth, and entrepreneurship. Program attendees are emerging professionals who will be the next generation of leaders in architecture. RQAW’s Victoria Templeton, AIA and Elevatus Architecture’s Todd Adams, AIA planned April’s session by coordinating speakers and sponsors for the event. Some of the speakers included: Matthew Bartlett, AIA RID, Director of Small Projects and Internal Design at Indiana University and Co-founder of the ACE Mentoring Program; Justin Ferguson, PhD, AIA NOMA, Assistant Dean at Ball State University and mentor with Project Lead the Way; and Richard Belbutoski, corporate volunteer outreach and engagement coordinator at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. These speakers focused on the need to mentor the next generation of architects. Additionally, Dustin Headley from Turf, spoke about trending alternative architectural career paths, and Jason Shelley, Executive Director of AIA Indiana, discussed how AIA impacts our everyday practice and ways we can advocate for architecture. Each discussion led by the speakers encouraged participants to reflect on their career path and inspired them to focus on the future of architectural leadership needs.

DUBOIS COUNTY, IN (MAR. 22, 2019) – Very rough construction estimates for expanding the Dubois County Security Center range from $15 to $20 million. And expanding Dubois County Community Corrections is estimated to cost between $1.7 and $2 million. The numbers are very preliminary, RQAW architect Sanjay Patel told the justice center study committee Thursday. “This information is preliminary, when we’re talking about staffing and cost, and operational costs,” he said. “It’s still a work in progress. But I wanted to get you up to speed as to where we are and what we’ve been thinking of in terms of cost.” The group is researching the cost to expand the security center, which has on overcrowding problem. County officials started looking into the matter after receiving a notice about the problem from the Indiana Department of Correction in 2017. A state law that went into effect in 2018 requires a feasibility study be done before any new construction or remodeling can be done to a jail facility. The study must consider the needs of a facility, including size, location, staff and alternatives to incarceration. RQAW of Fishers was hired in December to conduct the study. So far, RQAW has looked at various statistics from the security center and other county departments, as well as space needs for each. Patel and RQAW architectural intern Cole Walters have sent some of that information to committee members. At Thursday’s meeting, Walters presented some of the preliminary conclusions from that study. From the Dubois County Herald. Read the full article by Candy Neal here.

For the second year in a row, RQAW is named as one of the Best Places to Work in Indiana. RQAW qualifies this year in the medium company category with their commitment to innovation, excellence, and growth. This statewide survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the participating employers in Indiana with the leading workplace cultures. The list is made up of 125 companies. The final rankings will be announced at an awards dinner on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. For more information and to see the 2019 list, visit the Best Places to Work website.

Vincennes University is collaborating with the RQAW Vincennes office to create a new dynamic type of student housing that will stretch four city blocks at the edge of campus between 2nd Street and the riverfront.  While only in conceptual design, the buildings aim to reflect 1800s New Orleans French Quarter Creole townhomes. With their two- to three-story massing, they are symmetrically arranged with steep roofs and lacy ironwork, as well as the iconic continuous second floor balcony across the facade of all the buildings. The property will house approximately 200 bedrooms with walk-in-closets and private bathrooms in mostly two-story buildings, while one three-story building will boast private rooftop decks overlooking the Wabash River. Parking exceeding one-to-one ratios will be provided through tree lined parking lots and street parking. Not only will the buildings reflect this iconic architecture but the property will be designed with plazas, greenspaces and activity nodes. A gateway plaza is planned at the intersection of Hart Street and 2nd Street to welcome students and visitors onto the campus. The gateway plaza will also direct pedestrians onto the property to a courtyard highlighting the Schultz and Yocum Residence, commonly known as the Clay Tile House, and guiding them further on to the William Henry Harrison Presidential Mansion and future Visitors Center. Additional plazas are designed at the intersection of 1st Street and Hart Street to activate the Riverwalk trail as well as allow the university and the downtown City of Vincennes to merge together in unity. A tree lined boulevard is being considered on 2nd Street along the property. Conceptually the boulevard could reach the full length of 2nd Street through campus to serve as a spine, further unifying the development and campus.

Elisa imagined she would be doing administration work as an interior design intern, but she had a much different experience at RQAW. The architecture department gave her endless opportunities by meeting with reps and designers, training her in Revit, and constantly utilizing her design skills. Her boss and mentor Betsy said, “Elisa has been my intern and has helped the architectural team as well in many ways. Please take a moment to thank her for all of her hard work. She has helped us so much in the months she has been here! We wish her the best of luck in all of her future endeavors!”

Media Contact: Kevin Hannah | 317.602.1546 ext. 3 | kevin@mcfarlandpr.com LIBERTY, IND. (AUG. 21, 2018) – Today the Eastern Indiana Region delegation announced from the courthouse grounds in Rushville that two key Rush County projects have been included in the Eastern Indiana region’s submission to earn a Stellar designation from the Indiana Regional Stellar Communities Program. The Morgan Street Corridor Trail and the Urban Loop Trail projects, were listed as projects in the regional submission. The full submission included projects from Randolph, Wayne and Union counties as well. Rushville Mayor Mike Pavey announced the inclusion of the Morgan Street Corridor Trail and the Urban Loop Trail projects. The completion of these projects provides connectivity via bicycle and foot traffic in the area. “While OCRA’s Regional Stellar Program is, in theory, a competition, we in Eastern Indiana view it as another way to assist us in the journey towards being better able to work together on the many common challenges that face us from day to day,” said Jeff Plasterer, executive director of the Eastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission. “This application process has allowed us to strengthen the way we communicate, plan, and assist each other on a regular and ongoing basis to improve our recruitment, retention, and development of a qualified workforce through improvements to our Region’s quality of place.” If the Eastern Indiana Region’s submission is selected as one of two recipients in the Stellar Communities Program, funding could be available for the submitted plan. The Eastern Indiana Region is one of six finalist for this year’s regional Stellar Communities Program. “Our projects will work to improve quality of place, which will assist in retaining and attracting residents which play a crucial part in supplying workforce to our region,” said Pavey. The Eastern Indiana Region’s comprehensive regional development plan was developed with input from each county’s residents, businesses and organizations to address quality of life, workforce, housing, health, wellness and economic development projects. “This process has strengthened our regional partnership and ensures its continuation throughout the years,” said Mike Row, chief executive officer of Eastern Indiana Works. The Indiana Regional Stellar Communities Program promotes regionalism by design with a comprehensive community and economic development approach through a multi-year, multi-million investment initiative.  The Regional Stellar Communities Program is led by the Indiana Lieutenant Governor’s office and is funded by three state agencies: the Indiana Housing and Community Economic Development Authority, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Indiana Department of Transportation.  Other State Partners in the program are: Indiana Department of Tourism, Indiana State Department of Health, The Indiana Bond Bank, Serve Indiana, Indiana Arts Commission and Indiana Department of Natural Resources ###