Justice and rehabilitation architecture
Redefining incarceration to reduce recidivism
JLG Architects approaches justice architecture with a restorative, humane-centered philosophy that prioritizes safety, well-being, and successful reintegration. Our design methodology is rooted in evidence-based planning and a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing correctional facilities, including:
- Going beyond technology and visibility to incorporate dynamic security, which fosters positive staff culture and healthy staff-resident relationships and promote dignity, healing, and control.
- Integrating therapeutic environments, mental health care, medical care, infection control, and sight and sound separation to support both residents and staff.
- Viewing correctional facilities as assets for the region, designed to foster community engagement, reduce recidivism, and support public safety.
JLG is one of the country’s Top 40 Public Safety/Justice Facility Architecture Giants, according to Building Design+Construction.
“Designing without Bias is a journey not a destination (like most everything). The realities of our work as designers shine through in these moments of people’s lives that are ‘AH-HA’ moments — where the built environment either supremely helps or hinders our situation — where we can be understood or disregarded in a particular situation… and see our successes or shortfalls as designers and decision-makers.”
Jennifer Burke Jackson, Principal Studio Leader
Community Matters podcast
Architects alone can’t solve systematic problems, but evolved environments can support growth and change. Through interviews and storytelling, we are seeking to amplify perspectives and invite everyone to speak up for what matters to their community.
What is the purpose of incarceration?
Season 1 of Community Matters is focused on the question: “What is obvious and obscure about the world of incarceration?” We seek to gain deeper insights into life and experiences during, after, and adjacent to incarceration.
What can we better understand today to prevent incarceration and improve public safety for tomorrow?
Season 2 of Community Matters is focused on the question: “What can we better understand today to prevent incarceration and improve public safety for tomorrow?” We lean into deeply personal experiences, both first hand and through scientific observation — which illuminate the influence of relationships (those that last moments and those that last lifetimes), the nuanced responses to trauma (basically, everyone responds differently), and the science behind how our brains (and behavior) can develop, change and heal.
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Specialties
JLG plays a vital role in shaping the backbone of justice infrastructure. With a deep understanding of functional requirements and impact, the firm designs essential spaces in rehabilitation and correctional centers and other related facilities that prioritize safety, efficiency, and accessibility. These facilities are often hubs of coordination and resilience, requiring thoughtful spatial planning, robust security features, and adaptability to evolving public needs.
Services
- Collaborative design
- Master planning
- Facility studies and assessments
- Interior design and FF&E
- Cost estimating
- Bidding and construction administration
- Visualization
- Sustainability facilitation
- Safety and security design
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