Client: Douglas County |  Location: Ava, Missouri
Year Completed: 2020 |  Size: 12,735 SF

HMN Architects’ collaborative design process with Douglas County officials resulted in a modern Law Enforcement Center. Working closely with the Sheriff, we determined specifics such as bed count, type of beds, and the different levels of confinement that were needed. We designed an economical facility that will function for years to come.

The new jail has 48-beds, more than double the amount of their existing facility. Because of advanced technology, the facility is safer for both staff and inmates. The new facility also offers a chance to generate revenue from housing inmates from surrounding counties while bed space is available, helping offset expenses. Within the new facility, there is a dispatch and control center, offices for staff, a reception area, inmate housing, and an indoor/outdoor exercise yard.

The control room is the focal point of this project; it is paramount to the facility’s function. The control room is large and elevated, giving the jailers the best views into every dayroom to monitor the inmates. The control room is adjacent to the booking desk to keep the critical staff near each other. We also designed an area specifically for dispatch to work in this stronghold, keeping them in the building’s safest area.