Prefabricated cells for jails are quickly becoming a hot topic in the design and construction of correctional facilities blog here. Although the term may bring to mind flat-pack furniture items, these innovative buildings are much more sophisticated. They hold the potential to revolutionize how we approach incarceration.

What exactly are prefabricated cells for jails? Imagine a jail cell, or a group of cells, with all necessary security features, amenities and construction off-site, in a controlled facility. After they’re completed, the cells are transported to their final location and assembled in a similar fashion to a modular home. This concept has a number of advantages.

The speed of construction has been dramatically accelerated. Construction is a long and slow process that can be affected by weather, labor disputes and fluctuating materials costs. Prefabrication can avoid many of these issues because the cells are built in a controlled atmosphere. This allows for a faster turnaround between groundbreaking and occupancy.

Another major advantage is the cost savings. The cost savings are another major advantage. Assembling in a line reduces waste and is more eco-friendly.

Prefabrication improves both safety and quality. The manufacturing process can be monitored more closely when building off-site. This allows each jail cell to meet strict standards before they even reach the construction site. With traditional construction methods, it can be difficult to maintain this consistency.

The ability to customize and scale prefabricated jail cells may be the most appealing aspect of them. Because the basic units have been designed as modular, they can be easily rearranged, enlarged, or reduced to suit the changing needs in the correctional system. The rapid development of technology and rehabilitation methods makes this flexibility invaluable.

The future of corrections is not just about physical structures. The modularity of prefabrication allows for the creation of spaces that are not only secure but also conducive towards rehabilitation. It is evident that rehabilitation, rather than incarceration, will become more prevalent as educational and therapeutic space can be easily incorporated.