Location: Forsyth, Missouri
Year Completed: 2008
Size: 116,750 SF | 264-Beds
Awards and Publications: Design Cost Data Magazine – July/August 2009 Edition

The three-level, 116,750 SF, justice center is constructed of pre-cast concrete and masonry on a steel frame. The justice center houses the 264-bed jail and 9,900 SF law enforcement center, including the dispatch services, sheriff’s office, and other administrative offices. In addition, there are two jury trial courtrooms, two non-jury courtrooms, judge’s chambers, clerks of the county’s office, prosecuting attorney offices, and the juvenile offices.

The 44,500 SF, 264-bed jail has 132 double bunked cells designed to a medium/maximum standard. The 14 dayrooms have either 16 or 20 beds allowing for the highest flexibility in housing classification. A hardened central control center oversees the entire operation of the jail with a satellite control center for each housing area. The cells are pre-cast concrete modules, containing two cells each. The use of pre-cast cells and pre-cast walls took months off the construction schedule, saving the county time and money.

The satellite housing control centers are a hybrid of direct/indirect open station, constructed of formed solid surfacing. The open control centers are defensible in an emergency through several innovative features. The top of the center is six feet above the finished floor and curved inward to discourage vaulting. The stepped entry is also turned to slow access. Communication between the officers and inmates is improved by their ability to read non-verbal cues and hear inmates, reducing tension and the opportunity for misunderstandings.