The new and expanded WCCC will allow for transfer of all females housed in the overcrowded Oahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) in Honolulu. It will better serve the pre-trial and sentenced female offenders.
This project originated to centralize all female inmates across Hawaii in one location through the addition of a 180-bed facility. The priority is to provide gender-specific programming not previously available at the men’s facility. Another critical focus is to provide space for staff members that is a supportive environment to help attract more staff and reduce turnover.
The project consists of a secure housing unit, administration building, and intake/visiting building. The three new buildings total 56,121 SF along with a parking lot, secure fencing and sally ports to provide safety and security.
The big, canopy trees are a notable aspect that came into play throughout the planning and design periods. The building designs take shape of native Hawaiian architecture. Exterior materials were carefully selected to reflect the context of Hawaii using lava rock material and cast stone accents. The interior is designed to provide clear and simple way finding with extensive areas of natural light for public and in-custody and from all staff work spaces.
The WCCC will allow Hawaii to continue expanding female services for the next 50 years. This should have a major impact of reducing the overall female recidivism rate.
In 2015, Hawaii hired CGL to assess all of its state-run corrections and detention facilities. As the project progressed, CGL started leading the planning and design process for the new WCCC.
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