Rural Jail Initiative
Project Delivery An integrated approach for rural jails
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
RURAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE (RJI): A MORE COORDINATED APPROACH TO DELIVERING RURAL JAIL PROJECTS Across many rural counties, jail projects are becoming increasingly difficult to plan and deliver. Facilities are aging. Operational demands are rising. Staffing and internal resources are often limited. At the same time, the delivery process has become more complex. Counties are required to manage multiple consultants, overlapping decisions, and evolving cost conditions throughout the life of a project. The Rural Justice Initiative (RJI) is structured to address these challenges through a more coordinated approach to delivery.
The Challenge with Traditional Delivery Most jail projects are delivered through a series of separate efforts. Design, construction, operations planning, and staff preparation often occur independently. This can lead to: • Misalignment between facility design and day-to-day operations • Cost uncertainty as decisions are made later in the process • Policies and training that are developed after the building is complete Even well-managed projects often require adjustments after opening to align the building with daily operations.
A More Coordinated Model
RJI aligns planning, funding, design, and de framework. Rather than managing separat team focused on a defined outcome. This t
• Facility planning and design aligned with
• Funding strategy to establish a clear, stru
• Early construction coordination to inform
• Integrated medical and behavioral health
• Policy and procedure development base
• Staff training and transition planning prio
The intent is not to simplify the project its experiences the process.
Cost Clarity and Reduced Ris
A key advantage of the RJI is improved cos coordinated planning and delivery: • Project scope and cost are aligned from
• Late-stage redesign and change orders a
• Counties gain a clearer understanding of
This supports more confident decision-ma
Operational Readiness from Day One
elivery within a single, coordinated te tracks, the County works with a unified typically includes:
Traditional projects often focus on completing construction. When operations, policies, and training are developed alongside the design:
h supervision and staffing models
• Procedures reflect the layout and supervision model
uctured path to delivery
• Transition into the new facility is more structured and predictable
m cost and constructability
The result is a facility that is ready to operate, not one that requires adjustments after opening.
h services where appropriate
ed on how the facility will operate
or to occupancy
• Staff are prepared for the new environment
Reframing the Project for Public Understanding
self. It is to simplify how the County
Project success also depends on how the project is understood by the public. RJI supports a broader framing of the project as part of a county’s public safety system. This includes:
sk
• Housing and supervision
st clarity earlier in the process. Through
• Healthcare and behavioral health • Programs and training space
the beginning
• Coordination with courts and community services
are reduced
This broader perspective also makes projects easier to explain and support with stakeholders and within the community.
f total investment
aking and reduces financial uncertainty.
LOOKING AHEAD If planning, funding, and delivery can be better aligned, the next step becomes more straightforward: How do you move forward with a defined scope, a clear project cost, and a delivery process the County can manage with confidence? Scan to learn more:
Se e mo re of our wo r k
B KV G ROUP RURAL JA IL 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 RURAL JAI L I NI TIATIV E - REGIONA 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
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P 312.279.0470
P 469.405.1196
P 612.339.3752
P 202.595.3173
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