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Sheriff and outside firm show modular jail design; commissioners say idea merits RFP stage review
Summary
Sheriff Wharton and architecture firm RQAW presented a prefabricated "podular" jail design aimed at improved staff safety, easier maintenance and added medical and mental-health program space; commissioners requested more information and said the county will consider the design during the future design/RFP phase.
Sheriff Wharton and representatives from RQAW presented a prefabricated, pod-based jail design to the Penobscot County Commissioners, saying the layout would improve staff safety, streamline maintenance and create space for medical and mental-health services.
The presentation, led by Cole Walters of RQAW with colleagues Sanjay Patel and Pete Peterson, described modular “housing pods” with a central secure corridor, mezzanine control rooms with mirrored glass visibility into day rooms, maintenance chases outside the secure perimeter, and the option to shell future pods for later expansion. Walters said the design lets staff move the service provider rather than moving inmates for programs, which can reduce inmate movement and simplify programming logistics. "It allows the ability to properly provide, high quality medical care inside the facility, mental health, treatment inside the facility, and programming," Sheriff Wharton said.
Commissioners asked operational and maintenance questions. Commissioner Marshall confirmed that the maintenance chase sits outside the secure perimeter so contractors would not need to enter inmate areas; RQAW confirmed plumbing and mechanical access would be located behind the cells in that chase. Pete Peterson said the modular approach can scale from roughly 260 beds to about 380 in different configurations and argued the plan is operationally and cost efficient compared with traditional builds. RQAW showed photographs of existing Indiana facilities with similar designs and discussed construction timelines for prefabricated modules.
Sheriff Wharton framed the proposal in operational terms, saying it could reduce long-term costs compared with earlier estimates and better meet current correctional needs: "If it's just about the money, this is a much better plan for us to move forward," he said.
No binding decisions were taken at the meeting. Commissioners and staff said the next formal steps would include preparing an RFP for design-build services if the county decides to pursue the concept, and working with local designers in the procurement phase. Facilities director Brian McDonald and the sheriff’s office indicated the site would be greenfield if approved by the community, and that public-facing information would be prepared in coming weeks to explain the project to residents.
The presentation will be used as part of the county's evaluation as commissioners and staff consider whether to include the concept in future RFPs for a new correctional facility.
