Henry County Adult Detention Center

In Henry County, a detention center breaks from traditional correctional design by putting medical care at its core. The 158,000-square-foot facility replaces standard cell blocks with specialized treatment spaces, dedicating significant square footage to mental health services and rehabilitation programs. Within its walls, 400 inmates receive consistent access to medical treatment, counseling, and educational opportunities—elements often overlooked in conventional jail design.

Advanced Mental Health Services

The facility's mental health wing redefines correctional medical care through specialized examination and treatment rooms. Piedmont Community Services counselors work directly with inmates in purpose-built offices, backed by an on-site laboratory and pharmacy. The wing's high-density storage systems maintain secure, immediate access to medical records, supporting continuity of care.

Medical Services Integration

Beyond mental health support, the facility minimizes external medical visits through on-site dental operatories and X-ray equipment. Negative-pressure holding cells and shower areas provide critical isolation capabilities for disease control. Twenty-four-hour nursing coverage and scheduled medical staff visits reduce transportation costs while ensuring immediate response to health concerns.

Technical Systems and Sustainability

The building's vacuum plumbing system cuts water usage by 66 percent compared to conventional systems, preserving 3.8 million gallons annually. During construction, workers crushed concrete from the site's former DuPont manufacturing plant, incorporating it into the foundation—a practical solution that kept tons of debris out of landfills.

Specialized Housing Units

Different security needs drive the design of living spaces throughout the center. Male housing combines two 48-bed minimum-security dormitories with four 20-bed medium-security units featuring single cells. The layout also includes a 48-bed medium-security unit with double cells, two 16-bed maximum-security sections, two 10-bed special purpose units, and two 16-bed mental health units. Female residents occupy three 16-bed medium-security units, a 24-bed dormitory, and a 10-bed special purpose unit. The community custody section provides 32 minimum-security beds for men and eight for women.

Rehabilitation Through Education

Partnerships with Patrick & Henry Community College bring certification programs directly to inmates. The commercial kitchen serves dual purposes: preparing daily meals while training future culinary professionals. Multiple video visitation stations allow inmates to maintain vital family connections—a key factor in reducing repeat offenses.

Public Safety Campus Connection

Positioned alongside training facilities for police, emergency medical services, and criminal justice programs, the detention center completes a unified public safety campus. This proximity enables direct collaboration between departments and streamlines operations.

Construction Elements

The building combines modular steel cells with brick masonry, metal panels, and glass curtain walls to create secure yet efficient spaces. Inside, the design incorporates administration areas, specialized training rooms for defense tactics, booking and intake processing zones, a fully equipped warehouse with loading dock, and a vehicular sally port for protected transport.

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