Uniontown, PA

New Fayette County Correctional Facility

Client: Fayette County, PA – Board of Commissioners
Our Role: Prime Consultant/Architect and Engineer of Record

Fayette County Jail at dusk with exterior lights on, a mostly empty parking lot, and a highway in the background under a cloudy sky.

For more than a century, Fayette County relied on a jail built in 1892, originally designed to house 262 inmates. As the population grew, the facility consistently held more than 300 individuals, forcing the county to lease additional bed space elsewhere — an increasingly costly solution.

The challenges extended beyond overcrowding. Aging infrastructure brought rising maintenance demands, straining county resources and limiting investments in other essential services.

Recognizing the urgent need for change, county officials began planning for a modern facility that would address current capacity needs while enhancing safety for staff and inmates. Their vision went further: to create an efficient, future-ready facility that would serve the community for generations to come.

Our firm led the design of a modern correctional facility, serving as the prime consultant, architect, and engineer of record. We provided comprehensive services, from initial facility planning and concept development through construction, as well as specialized training to support staff in transitioning to a direct supervision model.

The new four-story, 112,250-square-foot facility houses 170 cells and 330 beds, significantly expanding the county’s capacity with provisions for future growth. In addition to housing, the design includes ample space for administration, daily operations, and critical services such as medical care, mental health support, educational programming, and reentry initiatives. These dedicated areas ensure staff and residents have the resources needed to maintain a safe, efficient, and rehabilitative environment.

Every aspect of the design prioritizes functionality, operational efficiency, and the safety of both staff and residents, while maintaining a strong emphasis on rehabilitation. The result is a contemporary correctional facility that advances Fayette County’s long-term goals and fosters positive outcomes for those who live and work within it.

Key Features

Trauma-responsive design features abundant natural daylight, views to the outdoors, and strategic use of color to create rehabilitative environments that support mental health, well-being, and recovery.

- Flexible housing configurations allow units to accommodate a range of custody classifications, supporting operational flexibility and helping reduce health risks such as the spread of infectious diseases.
- Modular precast cells use standardized concrete components to enable efficient on-site assembly, accelerating the construction schedule while providing long-term durability and reducing maintenance costs.
- Programming spaces offer spacious, adaptable areas that support educational, vocational, and rehabilitative activities, promoting skill-building and positive engagement for successful reentry.
- Realistic staff training is supported by a replica cell adjacent to the roll call/muster room, providing a secure environment for scenario-based exercises that enhance operational readiness.
- Community-focused design incorporates a masonry façade that reflects the local architectural style, creating visual harmony with nearby buildings and reinforcing community character.
- Integrated security technology features advanced systems such as electromechanical sliding doors and infrastructure for body scanning equipment, offering flexibility to meet evolving security and inmate management needs.
- Energy efficient building systems, including high-efficiency condensing boilers, energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), and LED lighting, help minimize energy consumption and reduce lifecycle operating expenses.

Outcomes

The new correctional facility design eliminated overcrowding and reduced the county’s reliance on leasing bed space from other jurisdictions.
The direct supervision model and advanced security systems enhanced safety and security for staff members and residents.
The facility’s optimized layout and modern supervision strategies improved operational efficiency.
Sustainable design significantly reduced energy consumption and operating expenses, while durable materials lowered long-term maintenance expenses.
A smooth transition into the new facility boosted staff confidence, improved communication, and fostered a more supportive, engaged workplace culture.
Utilizing the ample program space, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the jail, launched the nationally recognized IGNITE program (Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education), providing incarcerated individuals with educational opportunities that support successful reintegration.
The Fayette County Board of Commissioners praised our team for delivering innovative correctional design solutions and outstanding service that exceeded expectations.
American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania, 2025, Diamond Award for Engineering Excellence.
American Council of Engineering Companies, 2025, National Recognition Award.