CIVIC / GOVERNMENTAL

Idaho Department of Correction East Dorm

Hummel Architects, Hoffman Construction Company, and KMB architects worked closely together to design the new Idaho Department of Correction East Dorm for men. This progressive design-build collaboration involves a two-story, 20,500 SF, 152-bed capacity transition housing dormitory. The new facility focuses on restorative justice to prepare male residents for the eventual transition to their home communities.

The aggressive project schedule for this project required a condensed design process to meet the required move-in date. Our team leveraged several strategies, including multiple bid packages and plan review engagements to help meet the June 2023 go-live date.

CLIENT

Idaho Department of Correction

PROGRAM

Programming

Schematic Design

Design Development

Construction Documents

Construction Administration

Interior Design

Space Planning

LOCATION

Kuna, Idaho

SQUARE FOOTAGE

20,500 SF

Restorative Justice Design

Following IDOC’s shift to a restorative justice philosophy, this minimum-security dorm is designed more as a residential facility, instead of a traditional steel-and-concrete, locked-down prison. Spaces incorporated throughout the design include:

Four tiers with 152 beds
Day rooms
Kitchens
Laundry facilities
Living areas
Classrooms and other program facilities
Recreation/outdoor areas

Reward Accountability Model

Through a reward accountability model, two of the four units have kitchens and laundry facilities to prepare residents with independence, self-sufficiency, and accountability for their reentry into society. Chores such as cooking, cleaning, and laundry equip residents with the basic life skills they need to succeed on the outside. On-unit resources, programs, and correctional staff ensure residents have support and services for rehabilitation and community reintegration.

In a complete departure from traditional correctional facility design, the new IDOC East Dorm includes an open control room without a glass wall separating correctional staff from residents. Instead of a closed-off, locked-down control room, the open design encourages more positive interactions between correctional staff and residents.

Reducing Recidivism

Nearly all residents housed in this facility are also employed either at IDOC or off-site, with the East Dorm serving as their home base. Through a softened correctional environment, reward accountability model, on-unit resources, and support from correctional staff, the goal of this revolutionary correctional environment is to provide more freedom and responsibility for residents. This new approach to incarceration aims to help IDOC reduce recidivism throughout Idaho.

“To the extent that we can make prison more like real life, we’re better preparing the vast majority of those sentenced to our custody to make the right decision when it counts, and that’s when they’re back in our community,” IDOC Director Josh T Walt said.

Hummel’s team was proud to work on this project, and we hope this progressive design will help pave the way for the future of correctional facility design.