Franklin County Corrections Center
The Franklin County Ohio Board of Commissioners have a vision to create a model facility for today’s detention needs. The new Franklin County Corrections Center, known as the James A. Karnes Center, is considered the best new correctional facility in the United States by the National Institute of Corrections. The completed Phase 1 and Phase 2A project has a hard construction budget totaling approximately $300 million. The James A. Karnes Center has 1,285 rated beds in a direct supervision model that is LEED Silver certified. Once all phases are completed, the James A. Karnes Center will be 2,800 rated beds in over 1 million square feet with a total project budget nearly $1 billion.
Considered a “Center for Innovation”, the Franklin County Corrections Center has redefined how to address inmate needs. DLZ developed a design that is considered the premier facility in the United States to address mental health, medical, behavioral management, and addiction issues. Franklin County is successfully addressing first firsthand the issues facing correctional facilities across the United States. The result is care and treatment-based rather than the typical containment model that is reducing recidivism rates through rehabilitation. With a focus on the Continuum of Care/Re-entry and Reintegration into the community, the design implements innovative biophilic design approaches to normalizing the colors, materials, textures, daylighting, and systems.
Facility Assessment
DLZ previously developed an assessment of the two existing county jail facilities. The team made recommendations to reduce current and future jail bed needs and also to improve and establish programs that would enhance the criminal justice system overall. The study analyzed more than 900,000 inmate records from 1989 through 2008 to gain an understanding of who was in jail and how the inmate population has changed. The analysis provided insight into the current criminal justice system and determined the types and use of existing facilities and programs needed in the future. Therefore, our assessment is the foundation for the Franklin County Corrections Center.
Overcoming Challenges
The Owner’s goals and mission for the Franklin County Corrections Center had not been achieved before in any other facility. DLZ was challenged daily to create a modern detention facility that redefined incarceration, programming, reduction of recidivism, and how to re-integrate inmates back into the facility. All of this had to be accomplished on a relatively small 23-acre site approximately 5 miles west of downtown Columbus Ohio.
In addition to being the premier new jail in the United States, Franklin County also had ambitious goals to rethink spaces for the nearly 800 staff members. DLZ was tasked with developing staff spaces to help with retention and recruitment. In addition to the inmates benefiting from the normalized environment, so did the staff. The enormous amount of natural light allowed the staff to recognize the hours of the days and to respond in a healthier manner. Additional staff responsive design solutions included, covered parking, separated designated entry, fitness and wellness areas, large scale locker rooms with phone charging opportunities in their lockers, indoor and outdoor eating areas, and working conditions in a healthy environment.
Noteworthy Successes
Franklin County is one of the largest corrections center any where in the world to be LEED Silver certified. With a holistic emphasis on a healthy, efficient, and cost-saving green building, the Franklin County Corrections Center amplifies the positive and migrates the negatives on the natural environment throughout the entire life cycle of the facility. The project received a 2024 Engineering Excellence Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Ohio.
By redefining how corrections historically operate, the Franklin County Corrections Center is transforming from a “custody and control” model to a “care and custody” model. This is significant as the entire process of operations is changing. From a linear style of observation with minimal visual sight lines to inmates, Franklin County is a direct supervision model where the deputies have direct line of sight and observation. This is a monumental shift towards a more successful corrections center – one that works well with today’s inmates.
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