AECOM: Prison Profit Over People

Prison Profit Over PeopleWhat to know about the company that’s building prisons and jails in California and the world. A Member of Californians United for a Responsible Budget

As part of its Realignment Plan (AB 109), LosAngeles County is proposing a 5.7 million dollarconsulting contract forto study whether weneed additional jail cells. LA already has the largestjail system in the world, and as many as 7,000 "beds"are empty. Can we afford more jails, especiallywhen we are closing schools, fire stations, libraries,parks and clinics? One thing is certain fromCalifornia’s history - if we build jails and prisons, wewill fill them, and overfill them, and fill them withpeople who don’t need to be there. A Member of Californians United for a Responsible Budget

Does LA even need the study?LA already contracted the Vera Institute to look atjail expansion. Vera agreed with community claimsthat the jails were being used unnecessarily, andrecommended downsizing through release of people.The County Board of Supervisors is now looking forAECOM to study the issue again. Is it likely that a jailand prison construction company will recommendsomething other than construction?This presentation is intended to raise some important questions, before LAmoves forward to build more cells. Contact the Youth Justice Coalition - freelanow@yahoo.com / www.youth4justice.org or CURB - www.curbprisonspending.org for more information or to get involved.

AECOM’s Prisons:1. 35 years of experience in theplanning, design, and construction of“detention and correction facilities” throughoutthe world.2. Includes prisons for youth, adults and“special needs populations” at “all securitylevels”.3. Clients have included local city and countygovernments, state and provincialcorrectional authorities and nationalgovernments.

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AECOM SELLS ITSELF AS: CO$T EFFECTIVE. “Over a 30 year cycle of a detention or correctional facility, only 10% of total expenditures will be for cost related to capital development, while 90% of the cost will be for staffing and operations.Our professionals recognize our responsibility as steward of the public trust relative to meeting schedule and capital budget requirements, as well as in reducing the long term cost of operations.”

AECOM SELLS ITSELF AS: FORWARDTHINKING. “We work with our clients to understand how the system workstoday in terms of policy and procedure, and to tailor staffing patterns and operational budgets to our design solutions... (including) * maximizing housing unit service delivery; * video visiting/video court appearance; * tele-medicine; and * assisting clients in evaluating alternatives to incarceration and in tracking performance metrics.

AECOM SELLS ITSELF AS: GOODNEIGHBORS.“We approach each project with a spirit of discovery and apply designguidelines that have been proven to impact behavior and to support staff morale. We are committed to working with our clients to reconcile the specificchallenges of rehabilitating inmates while protecting and reassuring the public. Our portfolio reflects our ability to allay community concerns about the corrections and detention facilities processes and purpose by developingfacilities that can be "hidden in plain sight" and that function as good neighbors within the community.

BUT PRISON AND JAILCONSTRUCTION SHOWS A DIFFERENT REALITY

Belmarsh West Prison, London, UKDesign, construction, management and financing of two new “custodial” facilities. AECOM was thetechnical advisor on both projects. The institutions are projected to be completed in 2012 and havea construction cost of $243 million. Intended to be a “public-private partnership” e.g. semi-privateprison.

Delano II, Kern County, CAAECOM provided construction management services to the California Department of Corrections(CDC) for the construction of the $280 million California State Prison-Kern County Delano II. CDCRconstructed a “5,080-bed maximum-security prison capacity 3,892 Level IV inmates” and “480Minimum-Security Level I inmates.” The project incorporates 1,300,000 square feet of one- and two-story buildings on 500 acres, consisting of housing and dining areas; food preparation using cookand chill methods; visiting space; vocational and educational program space; recreation areas;infirmary and health service administration buildings; maintenance and utility facilities; andwarehouses.

Central Prison, SumailAECOM is the justice design and security consultant for a new $100 million, 3,000- bed, multi-custody correctional complex for the Sultanate of Oman, Royal Police Force. The existing prisonwhich dates back to colonial days, will be torn down and replaced with “a more modern andhumane facility,” including “smaller housing components within four self-contained, secure prisoncompounds separated according to inmate typologies and designed to accommodatemales, females, juveniles and special needs.” Dormitory housing for 6 to 16 people; 150 bed unitslocated around a central outdoor courtyard, with the use of a combination of direct and indirect supervisionanticipated; multi-purpose program spaces, dining facilities, and spaces for recreation. Central supportareas are planned to include inpatient medical and outpatient clinics, central administration, securityadministration, and visiting facilities. Central warehousing, maintenance, food preparation, staffhousing, and training are all provided for in a “separate compound.” “Masterplanning” has been completedto provide for an expected expansion to a 4500-inmate capacity.

Coleman Federal Correctional ComplexAECOM was the architect and engineer for this 1,850,000 square foot project in Coleman, Florida.One of the largest prison complexes in the U.S., it locks up more than 4,200 people and comprisesnearly 30 buildings. In addition to the “masterplan” and architectural design, AECOM providedstructural, electrical, and mechanical engineering services for the project. In AECOM’swords, “Care was taken to preserve wildlife, trees, and wetland vegetation on the prisonsenvironmentally sensitive 1,400-acre site.”

Ezeiza Correctional ComplexAECOM provided architectural and engineering design services for this 860,000 square foot“penitentiary facility,” located on a “highly secure” 296-acre site in Argentina, with capacity for1,620 people in single cells: (1) an intake and reception module for 300 people; (2) two maximumsecurity modules for 300 people each; (3) two medium security modules for 300 people each; (4) amental health module for 120 people; and a 150-bed hospital. Surrounded by an extensive doubleperimeter of 6.00 meter high double fences with microwave and buried cable perimeter intrusionsystems and CCTV camera systems for perimeter security. Physical security throughout includescast-in-place concrete walls and reinforced concrete masonry wall assemblies. A completeelectronic security system was also designed and installed.

Grayville, IllinoisMaximum Security Correctional CenterAECOM is designing and building a $131 million maximum security “correctional facility” with“eight housing units” (of 200 beds each), one 200-bed, minimum security housing unit, gun towersand sallyport building. In order to move 1,660 “maximum security inmates” in groups of 50 AECOMdesigned a Vehicle Surveillance System including the use of a “non-lethal” electric perimeterfencing system, and 4 control towers. A a biometric reader uses electronic fingerprint identificationto track both prisoners and corrections staff. Video cameras “monitor officer safety, while derailinglawsuits that allege improper behavior.”

Lexington-Fayette Detention Center, KentuckyAECOM’s project was prompted by “need to replace outmoded and overcrowded existing facilities andan impending federal court deadline” to develop a new 1,280- bed “urban detention center expandableto 2,048 beds.” The site is “at a gateway intersection to a major scenic drive through Kentucky horsecountry” so “the design concept responded both to the operational objectives of the jail administrationand the overarching concerns of the community regarding the siting of the facility along the importantFrankfort Pikeview corridor. To limit the visual impact of a 427,000- gross square foot facility in alandscape more typically punctuated by 15,000- to 20,000-gross square foot horse barns, the facility wasrecessed into the crown of a hill in the center of the site. The only element visible from the Franklin Pikeview corridor is the administration building, which has been treated to resemble an equine facilitycommon to the landscape.” For all classifications - (special, minimum and maximum security) in acombination of single-cell, multi-cell and dormitory units.

Marin County JailAECOM was selected to plan, design, and provide construction services for Marin County’s new“state-of-the-art correctional facility.” Project connects Marin County’s hall of justice and CivicCenter, “a national landmark” designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. To “preserve the character ofWright’s architecture, the facility is recessed into the hillside.” 222 medium-security, directsupervision cells arranged in six pods. Use of gray water for flushing and landscaping. Eliminationof cell windows. (All natural light is provided by skylights and clear lights in the cells.) “Podconfigurations” include three general population male pods of 41 cells each, one generalpopulation female pod of 35 cells, one pod of 14 protective custody and 14 administrationsegregation cells, and one medical/mental health pod of 36 cells.

Pima County Jail ExpansionAECOMs work on the Pima County Jail Expansion project consolidates, “modernizes,” andexpands an existing 1,500 bed jail complex to a capacity of 2,000 beds. A clearly identifiable lobbywas provided to replace “multiple entries” with adjacent video visiting facilities serving the entirefacility, “eliminating both inmate and public movement for visiting.” The architectural design“emphasizes the new front door of the facility with a tree-shaded entry plaza. The materials andcolors reflect the character of the desert mountains that serve as the backdrop for the facility.”

Salt River Pima-Maricopa IndianCommunity Detention FacilityAECOM is part of a consortium including Au Authum Ki (a community member) and KitchellContractings Native American Division. AECOM contributed to the planning and design of thisapproximately 78,000 square foot facility for up to 120 prisoners and future expansion of up to 200.A curved wall at the front of the building “makes a welcoming gesture and gives unique characterto the main elevation.” Adult and youth units as well as Medical building in the center. “Thetraditional sandwich style of construction which was used to build mud and adobe homes of thepast was also an inspiration for creating the facilitys architectural character.” The design concept“alludes to the stratification of a canyon wall or the banks of the Salt River. Roof profiles recallmesas, and the green tinted glass for the few windows that are required relates to coloration foundin the landscape.”

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS SHOW:Traditional, maximum security design over more humane conditions & programming. Reduced family connection. Despite rhetoric - no focus on alternatives to incarceration.Hyper concern for NIMBY - political power of connected over needs of those most impacted. Design over justice. Art of “hiding” dehumanization. Old-school, super-max, failed designs especially in less politicized jurisdictions and developing nations.

CampaignCo ntribution$

influenceexplorer.comAECOM Campaign Finance$1,396,596 Given from 1991 - 201245,000 employees; #352 on Fortune 500This represents giving from corporation,employees and PAC.

influenceexplorer.comAECOM Campaign Finance$1,396,596 Given from 1991 - 201245,000 employees; #352 on Fortune 500This represents giving from corporation,employees and PAC.TOP CANDIDATE$:

influenceexplorer.comAECOM Campaign Finance$1,396,596 Given from 1991 - 201245,000 employees; #352 on Fortune 500This represents giving from corporation,employees and PAC.TOP PARTIE$’ GIFT$:

influenceexplorer.comAECOM’$STATE VS. FEDERAL GIFTS - THEY GIVEWHERE THE MAX BUILDING $ ARE…

At the statelevel, AECOMmakes it hard totrack giving tocandidates.Hides their giftsthrough“lobbyistclients” so itgoes to “issuesand projects”instead.

influenceexplorer.comSHERIFF BACA’$CAMPAIGNFUNDRAI$ING

AECOM ContributionsLOCAL CONNECTION$Mayor and other City Officials traded $for construction contracts on theWest Side.Goldman Sachs got 145.6 million fromCity Council for Playa Vista LuxuryHousingUnited Way got $80,000 contribution forJobs Creation - pits indigenousenvironmental movement of TongvaNation against CBOs funding jobprograms in low-income communities. Possible ally?We have to assume that Sheriff Baca is Ron Kayewatching. Cha-Ching $$$!!! Former Editor of Daily News

Join the movement for youth and community development over mass incarceration. Contact the Youth Justice Coalitionfreelanow@yahoo.com / www.youth4justice.org or CURB -www.curbprisonspending.org for more information or to get involved.

AECOM: Prison Profit Over People

by Kim McGill on Feb 12, 2012

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AECOM: Prison Profit Over People Presentation Transcript