FEATURED PROJECT

Orange County Correctional Facility
Orlando, Florida

The center includes all Correctional Department Administrative services, food service for a projection future 2,200 inmate requirements, and master planning for 325 inmates housed in single-man rooms. Phase I includes all administrative services and housing for 84 medium security inmates in pods of 16 inmates each.

The center incorporates the largest application of passive and active energy systems in the State of Florida. Upon completion of basic planning tasks, feasibility studies, and cost estimations, Architects Design Group designed and supervised construction of Phase I of the facility. Maximum flexibility, allowing the County to respond to changing correctional facility needs, was a key factor in the master plan of this facility. Rapid increases in inmate population have subsequently occurred, proving the desirability of flexible master planning.

Architects Design Group provided programming, master planning and architectural services for two major additions to the Marion County Detention Center located in western Marion County in close proximity to Ocala, the County seat. The 37,000 square foot Phase II facility was also designed for a future expansion, providing for an additional 50 minimum security work-release inmates.

Housing elements represented the non-secure philosophy of a work-release facility, fostering client/occupant respect and consideration for the environment while generating a sense of personal pride and responsibility. Supervision is direct, generating interaction between client and staff.

Phase III was initiated by the County immediately after the successful completion of Phase II. It is important to note that Phase II was built ahead of schedule at almost 10% below budget. Phase III is a duplication of Phase II, adding an additional 37,000 square feet to accommodate an additional 224 inmates.

The feasibility study for the Polk County Correctional Facility concluded with a recommendation to construct a 600 inmate capacity facility, master planned for expansion. The facility was designed to accommodate work-release inmates, 200 in minimum security dormitories, and 400 medium and closed security inmates in single and multiple occupancy cells (4 inmates).

The facility includes an extensive communications, emergency operations facility; a health care center with associated medication dispensary, examination rooms, and dental care and ward facilities. Also included is a central booking and processing facility with an arraignment court, judges chambers and related video systems to permit video and audio communication with the existing downtown Judicial Center.

The center is master planned to accommodate an additional 500 inmates, including a female housing section, anticipated to meet county needs to the year 2000. The additional housing and related facilities will utilize similar housing pods, which are designed to afford maximum visibility of inmate areas.