Project Overview
The Westville Correctional Facility first opened in 1951 as Beatty Memorial Hospital, a state-run mental health facility. In 1979, the campus was converted to a correctional facility. Today, the facility is at the end of its useful life; posing severe safety and security risks for our staff and the incarcerated population housed there. Current statistical data tells us 80% of the incarcerated population needs access to mental health and/or addiction recovery services. The new facility design allows for expanded medical services, better programming space, and increased educational opportunities to support our continued efforts in reducing recidivism.
Setting Indiana Apart in Corrections
Incarceration is changing with the focus shifting from punishment to rehabilitation. The New Correctional Facility at Westville, Indiana is a model for how to provide those services.
- No officer works alone with central security stations.
- Allows for units to be individually secured as needed.
- Will not be possible to throw items over fence.
- Every element of the facility is designed with the safety of staff and the incarcerated population in mind.
- Programming is more accessible, helping address needs that lead to recidivism.
- Design allows for more effective delivery of health care services, including a dedicated mental health and addiction recovery unit.
- Designed for Safety and Efficiency
- Reduces the current footprint by more than 25%.
- Increases capacity to 4,200 incarcerated individuals but reduces staffing requirements (thru attrition).
- Energy efficient building augmented with solar thermal panels which offset the increased costs of air conditioning.
- Designed as a Prison
- Corrections-grade materials used in construction.
- Perimeter wall assists with contraband interdiction and public safety.
- Celled space throughout the facility allows for the incarcerated population and units to be individually secured.
- Housing units designed with central security stations giving officers a clear line of sight to all living areas.
- Designed with Programming in Mind
- Dedicated mental health unit designed specifically to address the needs of this growing population.
- Dedicated mental health unit designed specifically to address the needs of this growing population.
- 18,000 square feet of educational space and expanded vocational training opportunities, including HVAC, RV repair, automotive services, culinary arts, and food service.
- Pell On-unit programming space to allow for programming to continue through lockdowns and outbreaks such as COVID-19.
- Dedicated classroom space for re-entry and post-incarceration employment preparation.
Project Status
Project Highlights
Focus has shifted from punishment to rehabilitation for improved outcomes for both the individual and society. Take a closer look at how the new Westville facility is positioning itself as model for providing critical services to our incarcerated population and staff.
