MIAMI—Construction is officially underway on what Miami-Dade County leaders are calling the most state‑of‑the‑art correctional facility in Florida: the new Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department Campus. The landmark project marks a major investment in modernizing the county’s justice infrastructure and improving the efficiency, safety, and resilience of its detention operations.
NELSON Worldwide, the design firm leading the effort, is providing comprehensive architectural and planning services for the multi‑building campus. The new development will seamlessly integrate with the existing Turner Guilford Knight (TGK) Correctional Center, creating a unified environment that supports both daily operations and long-term adaptability.
Last month, NELSON’s Civic & Justice team—including National Design Leader Enrique Maciá, Technical Designer Angie Ortiz, and Technical Designer Lauren Rodriguez—joined Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to celebrate the official kickoff. The gathering underscored the high stakes of the project, which aims to reshape how the county manages intake, release, and rehabilitation.
At the heart of the new campus is a cutting-edge Booking and Release Center (BRC) designed to streamline the most complex and high-volume processes in the detention system. The BRC will feature a large vehicle sallyport capable of accommodating cars, vans, and buses; open waiting areas; single and group holding cells; and temporary housing for up to 195 arrestees. Supporting functions—including medical services, records, classification, and administrative offices—are integrated to reduce bottlenecks and improve safety.
The BRC will also include four new courtrooms dedicated to initial appearances, with spaces for the Clerk of Courts, State Attorney, and Public Defender. This co-location of services is expected to significantly reduce transport time and improve coordination across agencies.
Adjacent to the BRC, the campus will house a centralized Warehouse, canine facilities, and a 500-car parking garage, along with other operational amenities.
A new four-story Corrections Headquarters will anchor the campus, designed with employee well-being at the forefront. Abundant natural light, modern workspaces, fitness areas, training rooms, and dining facilities aim to enhance both staff morale and operational efficiency.
As construction moves forward, Miami-Dade County positions itself at the forefront of correctional innovation—building a campus that reflects evolving best practices in safety, rehabilitation, and community impact.
