Rural Jail Initiative
Aging Jails Costs, Risks, and a Better Path Forward
A RC H I T EC T U R E | I N T E R I O R D E S I G N | U R BA N D E S I G N & L A N D S C A P E A RC H I T EC T U R E E N G I N E E R I N G | CO N S T R U C T I O N A D M I N I S T R AT I O N | B R A N D E D E N V I RO N M E N T S | S U S TA I N A B L E D E S I G N
AGING JAILS COST MORE THAN YOU THINK Across the country, many counties are operating jail facilities that were designed for a different time - serving smaller populations, simpler classifications, and far fewer operational demands. Today, those same facilities are being asked to do more with less, often placing increasing strain on staff, budgets, and daily operations. This white paper takes a closer look at the often-overlooked realities of aging jails. Beyond visible wear and tear, outdated facilities create compounding challenges that impact efficiency, safety, and long-term cost. By examining these hidden pressures, we aim to provide a clearer understanding of what is truly at stake—and why the cost of maintaining the status quo may be higher than it appears.
The Problem Most Counties are Already Experiencing Most rural jails were not designed for how they operate today. Over time, these facilities become more expensive not because of one issue, but because multiple operational pressures begin to compound: • Staffing levels increase to compensate for poor visibility and indirect supervision • Medical and mental health needs grow, often without appropriate space or infrastructure • Maintenance costs rise without improving functionality • Classification becomes more difficult, increasing risk • Daily operations rely on workarounds instead of efficient systems As these pressures build, the facility becomes more difficult to operate and more dependent on staff effort to maintain basic functions.
Where the Real Cost Shows Up The true cost of an aging jail is not just capital replacement. It is the ongoing operational burden: • Staffing inefficiency - Outdated layouts often require more staff to supervise housing units due to blind spots, fragmented layouts, and frequent movement. • Operational friction - Movement, escorting, and intake processes take more time and increase risk exposure. • Healthcare costs - Without proper medical and behavioral health space, counties often incur higher external costs and inefficiencies. • Maintenance without return - Ongoing repairs keep the facility functioning, but do not improve performance. • Risk and liability exposure - Limited classification and poor visibility increase the likelihood of incidents. • Staff retention and turnover – Challenging working conditions, overtime demands, and inefficiencies contribute to turnover, adding replacement and training costs. These costs do not remain static. They tend to increase over time as the facility continues to age.
LOOKING AHEAD For many counties, the question is no longer whether these conditions exist. It is how long they can continue to be managed. Understanding how these pressures affect daily operations, staffing, and cost is the first step in evaluating what options are available moving forward. We are working with rural counties to better understand these conditions and to explore approaches that align facility design, operations, and long term performance. Scan to learn more:
Se e mo re of our wo r k
B K V G ROUP RU RAL JAIL INITIATIV E - LE A DE RSHIP TE A M
KYLE YARDLEY
PAUL MICHELL
DANIEL GILLEN
Justice Practice Leader, Partner Chicago, IL
Government Practice Leader, Partner Minneapolis, MN
Manager of Design, Associate Partner Chicago, IL
MICHAEL MALONEY
BRIAN DOVE
BRIAN REISING
Project Manager Chicago, IL
Project Manager Chicago, IL
Project Manager Chicago, IL
B K V G RO UP RU RAL JAI L I NI T IATIV E - REGIO NA L LE A DE RSHIP CONTACTS KYLE YARDLEY Justice Practice Leader, Partner
PHIL CALLISON Government Practice Leader, Partner
PAUL MICHELL Government Practice Leader, Partner
MARK MANETTI Government Practice Leader, Partner
C H I C AG O
DALLAS
MINNE APOL IS
WASH I N GTO N , DC
209 South LaSalle Street The Rookery, Suite 920 Chicago, IL 60604
1412 Main Street Adolphus Tower, Suite 700 Dallas, TX 75202
222 North Second Street Long & Kees Building, Suite 101 Minneapolis, MN 55401
1054 31st Street NW Canal Square, Suite 410 Washington, DC 20007
P 312.279.0470
P 469.405.1196
P 612.339.3752
P 202.595.3173
W W W . B K V G R O U P. C O M