Without a doubt, one of the largest and most significant projects in recent years was an effort in the Beehive State that brought together some of the top firms in the industry for an undertaking that broke ground in more ways than one.
The $1.5 billion Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) in Salt Lake City, which replaced the long-outdated Utah State Prison that opened in 1951, was designed by Salt Lake-based GSBS Architects who worked with national architecture firm HOK Group, Inc., and Miami-based CGL. It was constructed by the joint venture team of Layton Construction and Oakland Construction (LOJV). The facility looks to turn the corner on recidivism rates, and genuinely provide a better atmosphere for offenders and officers alike. To that end, the design incorporates a direct-supervision model that was approved by the Department of Correction and the State of Utah Division of Facilities Construction and Management.
Unique Design
Research shows that a prison population’s surroundings play a crucial role in their psychological rehabilitation. The intentional design incorporates natural daylighting as a major design driver, along with creating spaces that offer less of a prison feel while still adhering to safety and security measures. One of the real breakthroughs in the design was a move to the linear housing alignment, with cells arranged on both sides of a rectangle around a dayroom. Floor-to-ceiling windows are at one end that provide natural daylight and views of the surrounding mountains. This design is incorporated in all of the housing sections, from the highest security to the lowest. Additionally, each building unit features different housing styles: eight-person cells, two-person cells, and dormitory style, which offers an increased measure of privacy.
The 1.3 million square-foot campus covers 191 acres and is home to 33 buildings. The complex accommodates 3,600 inmates of all classifications, with dedicated units for both women and men.
Additionally, the facility hosts mental health housing that furnishes acute mental health and substance abuse treatment; plus medical facilities—including clinical examination areas—and health services in dentistry, dialysis, optometry, phlebotomy and physical therapy. Also included are classrooms, kitchens, laundry areas, spaces for worship and space for potential future growth.
Bringing more design-savvy features to the inmate experience aids in facilitating rehabilitation, as well as helping the staff feel better about working there.
Construction Challenges
Spanning nearly 200 acres, the greenfield site required extensive development. Along with constructing deep utilities and infrastructure, the construction team imported nearly two million tons of engineered fill to raise the site two to four feet above the existing grade. Above ground, site activity was virtually constant. All tilt panels for the buildings were formed on site, which at the project’s peak, hosted more than 1,500 workers. LOJV employed sophisticated site management and elevated communication through to the project’s completion.
The project was in full swing when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. The team quickly strategized and implemented strict protocols on how the trade partners could remain on site safely to keep the project moving forward. Additionally, the team had the foresight to procure 95 percent of supplies prior to the pandemic, so they avoided supply chain issues.
Correctional Lighting
Lighting plays an important role in supporting staff and inmate safety. Luminaires that have doorless-style housings firmly secured to the ceiling ensure there are no crevices or gaps to enable vandalism, making the fixture virtually impenetrable. Whether they are installed in a minimum, medium-maximum, or super-max setting, luminaires specifically engineered for correctional best practices resist everything from substantial abuse to the cleverest attempts at tampering and concealment.
Kenall has a long-standing reputation in the correctional industry, which is why, consulting with Chris Miller of Quantum Lighting, the manufacturer’s representative for this project, and meeting with Spectrum Engineering,USCF knew their high-abuse luminaires would be ideal for the new facility.
“Kenall was incredibly flexible and willing to customize the luminaires,” said Dave Wesemann, president and CEO Spectrum Engineers.
Because Kenall’s Mighty Mac™ Series is designed, equipped, and constructed to meet the industry’s best practices for security and prison lighting, and delivers best-in-industry security, illumination, safety, and energy efficiency, USCF installed these luminaires throughout the facility. Specifically, the Might Mac CC Series; SDSA Series – with and without the optional night light; RMCD Series; RQCA; SQCA; and SDD are installed in the day rooms, sally ports, cells, hallways, medical areas, showers, toilets, classrooms, and many other areas.
“USCF has many unique design features to ensure offenders’ safety and security, including the selected lighting systems,” commented Jerry Jensen, Deputy Director of Facilities Management Utah Department of Corrections. “We are confident that Kenall luminaires are able to withstand any violent abuse by offenders while also providing the necessary light levels,” Jensen added.
