McKenzie County Law Enforcement Center

CGL conducted a needs assessment and feasibility study for the McKenzie County criminal justice system, which included:

1. Reviewing Justice Center current conditions

2. Assessing County arrest trends and projected judicial caseload, inmate population, and required jail beds for the next 20 years

3. Determining the feasibility of expanding or renovating the justice center to accommodate the projected growth

4. Determining options for the future needs of the criminal justice system

The needs assessment identified court needs to include a high-volume criminal jury, a large capacity jury, and two general sessions courtrooms. The sheriff’s department, housed in the judicial center, did not meet current space needs. As the sheriff’s function continues to grow with criminal justice system and county population growth, it will demand new space. Recommendations included developing a new jail with enough housing to meet short-term need with future phases focusing on long-term needs and proper program space. As part of a second contract, CGL provided space planning and blocking diagrams for the design.