Adult and Juvenile Planning of New
Institutions (PONI) Program Experience

Descriptions of VRJS Projects

Projects with Photos

Additional Projects

Further Examples of Planning Projects

 Adult and Juvenile Planning
of New Institutions (PONI)
Program Experience

Both principal consultants of VRJS have been actively involved with the National Institute of Corrections Adult PONI Program since it’s development. David J. Voorhis, then sole owner of Voorhis Associates, developed the program with an NIC grant in 1978. Mr. Voorhis directed Adult PONI operations successfully until 1983, when NIC assumed program responsibilities. In 1988, James R. Robertson joined the National Institute of Corrections Jail Center. From 1988 to 1990, Mr. Robertson managed and participated in the delivery of the Adult PONI program.

A 1990 analysis completed by N.R. Cox Associates, Inc., concluded that “…the Adult PONI Program has attained all of its pre-established goals and has had a strongly positive impact on those jurisdictions and participants that have taken part in the program…the Adult PONI Program has had a positive impact on nearly all of the research issues addressed. …In general, the more extensive a jurisdiction’s involvement with the Adult PONI Program, the more likely they are to report strongly positive impacts which are consistent with the goals of the Adult PONI Program.”

The efforts of both Mr. Voorhis and Mr. Robertson were instrumental in the production of these results, as well as in the overall success of the Adult PONI Program. Their extensive knowledge of the Program and experience in the application of its concepts provide an invaluable resource to any consulting project they undertake.

Jim Robertson served as a core member of the team that developed the first Juvenile PONI Program. Since it’s inception, Mr. Robertson has participated as a consultant to the program and has worked with over 45 jurisdictions in the pre-planning training of new juvenile faculties.

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 Descriptions of VRJS Projects

Voorhis/Robertson Justice Services specializes in serving as the owner representative during the assessment, analysis and planning and construction of criminal justice and correctional facilities. The staffs of VRJS have been involved in the planning and construction of criminal justice facilities since 1978 and as a firm since 1991. Specifically, VRJS staff has extensive experience in conducting feasibility studies, planning correctional facilities, project coordination, and facility activation of jails and correctional facilities. VRJS partners have provided services to over 84 adult and juvenile correctional facilities nationwide. Staff members have provided consulting services, training, and technical assistance to over 5,000 representatives from different city, county, and state government agencies and to over 500 county jails/detention facilities in the last 19 years. Services provided to jails and correctional facilities range from 10-bed to 3,000-bed adult and juvenile correctional facilities, police facilities, sheriff office complexes, and minimum security/special use facilities.

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 Projects with Photos

The following projects and additional projects are provided as examples of recent work completed by VRJS. The partners of the firm were the primary staff on each project. Reference and contact information is provided in a separate link.

Needs Assessment Study, New Facility Development / Owners Representative
Riley County, Manhattan, Kansas (1996-2001)

Description: Completed a criminal justice system needs assessment study including data analysis and recommendations for new facility planning. Assisted in selection process for architectural firm to design and build the new Law Enforcement Center. VRJS was selected as Project Manager to oversee facility construction and transition.

 

Needs Assessment Study, Design/Build Coordination, Owners Representative
Lexington/Fayette Urban County Government, Lexington, Kentucky (1998-2001

Description: Participated in the development of a needs assessment study and operational program for a new correctional facility. Serves as a member of the owner’s representative team for coordination of the design/build project. Serves as the transition managers for the project with responsibilities to include the development of new policies and procedures and staff training for the move into the new facility.

 

Jail Operations Management Study and Department of Corrections Feasibility Study
Yakima County, Yakima, Washington (1995-1996)

Description: A study of jail population growth and analysis of the cost benefits of the development of a County Department of Corrections. Developed implementation strategies and action plans for the establishment of a County Department of Corrections. Implemented cost-saving alternatives to incarceration programs. Conducted detailed budget reviews and implemented new management practices to reduce annual operational costs of incarceration. Assisted in the selection process for a new Director of Corrections.

Design Review Services & Transition/Activation to New Caddo Parish Jail
Caddo Parish, Shreveport, Louisiana (1991-1995)

Description: Four-year project assisting the Parish to develop and implement a transition and activation team for the move to a new 1,000-bed jail. Developed and trained the team to accomplish the transition process and planning effort. Provided an independent and comprehensive review of the design documents for the new Caddo Parish Jail to ensure that the design would meet the operational needs of the Parish. Provided mid-level supervisor and entry-level staff training in the concepts of Direct Supervision.

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 Additional Projects

Jail Crowding Study, Criminal Justice System Needs Assessment and Master Plan, Architect Selection, Owner’s Representative for new Jail and Juvenile Facility
St. Clair County, Port Huron, Michigan (2000-Present)

Description: Conducting an in-depth analysis of the existing criminal justice system to include identifying model programs and services for consideration by the County. Study will also focus on facility deficiencies and recommendations for improvement. Developing recommendations for increasing the efficiency of staff utilization and decreasing operational costs. Recommendations will also include methods to improved criminal justice system operations, improved communications, improved computer system data exchange, and cost reduction (security, coverage, etc.) and capital and operational cost implications. Developed operational program for new Adult Jail, Sheriff’s Office and Juvenile Detention Center. Assisted in architect selection process and coordinating translation of operational program into design. Coordinated cost estimating and value engineering process. Project in Progress.

Criminal Justice System Assessment and Analysis
Spartanburg County, Spartanburg, South Carolina (2000)

Description: Participated with the Institute for Law and Policy Planning at Berkeley, California in completing an in-depth analysis of existing criminal justice system. Identified model programs and services for consideration by the County. Developed recommendations for increasing efficiency of staff utilization and decreasing operational costs. Identified issues related to improved criminal justice system operations, improved communications, improved computer system data exchange, and cost reduction (security, coverage, etc.).

Needs Assessment Study, New Facility Development / Owners Representative
Moffat County, Craig, Colorado (1996-2001)

Description: Completed a needs assessment study for the criminal justice system, including data analysis and recommendations for new facility planning. Assisted in selection process for architectural firm to design and build the new Public Safety Center to house the Sheriff’s Office, Jail, State Patrol, Regional Communications and City Police Department. VRJS was selected as Project Manager to oversee facility construction and transition.

 

Criminal Justice System Assessment and Analysis
Hennepin County, Minneapolis, Minnesota (1999-2001)

Description: Participated with the Institute for Law and Policy Planning at Berkeley, California in completing an in-depth analysis of existing criminal justice system. Identified model programs and services for consideration by the County. Developed recommendations for increasing the efficiency of staff utilization and decreasing operational costs. Identified issues related to improved criminal justice system operations, improved communications, improved computer system data exchange, and cost reduction (security, coverage, etc.).

Criminal Justice System Assessment and Analysis
Douglas County, Omaha, Nebraska (1999)

Description: Participated with the Institute for Law and Policy Planning at Berkeley, California in completing an in-depth analysis of existing criminal justice system. Identified model programs and services for consideration by the County. Developed recommendations for increasing efficiency of staff utilization and decreasing operational costs. Identified issues related to improved criminal justice system operations, improved communications, improved computer system data exchange, and cost reduction (security, coverage, etc.).

 

Needs Assessment Study, Architect Selection, Owners Representative
Steele County, Owatonna, Minnesota (1998-present)

Description: Completed a needs assessment study for the criminal justice system, including data analysis, operational program and recommendations for new facility planning. Assisted in selection process for architectural firm to design and build the new jail. Serves as program managers to coordinate the transfer of the operational concepts into facility design. Project in progress.

 

Needs Assessment Study, Inmate Population Projections, Project Cost Development
Shiawassee County, Corunna, Michigan (1999-2001)

Description: Developed master plan and pre-architectural program for county jail and sheriff’s department. Collected data for an operational study, inmate profile analysis and staffing analysis. Assisted in developing project cost estimates and performing site selection. Assisting the owner in implementing a community corrections program. Conducted public meetings throughout the project.

 

Needs Assessment Study, Policy and Procedure Development, Program Research
North Slope Borough, Barrow, Alaska (1996-1999)

Description: Completed analysis and assessment of criminal justice system and assisted in plan development for new regional facility. Developed policy and procedure manual for existing jail facility. Researched and reported on issues relevant to Native-specific programs to be implemented in new facility under a state grant. Coordinated and conducted public committee meetings to facilitate community participation in facility/program planning.

 

Needs Assessment Study, Staffing Analysis and Operational Study, Facility Transition
Bolivar County, Cleveland, Mississippi (1993-1999)

Description: Developed master plan and pre-architectural program for county jail and sheriff’s department. Collected data for an operational study, inmate profile analysis and staffing analysis. Assisted in developing a pre-architectural design and performing site selection. Conducted organizational review and pay comparison study of the Sheriff’s Office. Conducted study of consolidated 911 services. Assisting the owner in facility transition.

 

Design Review Services and Facility Transition and Activation
St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, Hahnville, Louisiana (1999-2001)

Description: Assisting the owner in a review of the design submittals at each phase of the design project. Assisted representatives of St. Charles Parish with planning for transition into a new correctional facility. Analyzed costs, prepared timelines for transition, assisted in staff training sessions, and supported other aspects of transition planning.

 

Needs Assessment Study, Operational Program
Davidson County, Nashville, Tennessee (1997- 1999)

Description: Completed a needs assessment study, master plan, data analysis, operational program and recommendations for new facility planning.

 

Juvenile Facility Staffing Analysis
Thurston County, Olympia, Washington (1997)

Description: Completed in-depth analysis of existing staffing. Identified model staffing programs for consideration by the County. Developed recommendations for increasing efficiency of staff utilization and decreasing operational costs. Identified issues related to cost reduction (security, coverage, etc.)

 

Facility Transition and Activation
Douglas County, Castle Rock, Colorado (1997-1998)

Description: Assisted representatives of Douglas County with planning for transition into new correctional facility. Analyzed costs, prepared timelines for transition, completed staff training sessions, and assisted in all aspects of transition planning.

 

Criminal Justice System Master Plan, Needs Assessment, and Jail Crowding Reduction Strategy Development
Coconino County, Flagstaff, Arizona (1996-1997)

Description: Performed a data collection for a corrections and court system study and master planning effort for Coconino County, Arizona. Reviewed practices and policies of the agencies involved in the criminal justice system to determine how each can affect criminal justice system operations. Identified methods of cost-reduction to increase the efficiency of the criminal justice system.

 

Regional Facility Needs Assessment/Feasibility Study
Bernalillo, Sandoval, and Valencia Counties, New Mexico (1996)

Description: Performed extensive data analysis and completed feasibility study on the counties plan to construct a regional (tri-county) correctional facility. Developed recommendations based on inmate and county data. Made projections for existing and proposed facility populations and staffing needs.

Pre-architectural Planning for Regional Juvenile Facility
City of Jackson and Hinds County, Mississippi (1996)

Description: Developed needs assessment and pre-architectural program for the city and county juvenile facility. Collected data for an operational study, resident profile analysis, site selection criteria, and staffing analysis. The planning effort followed the PONI Program’s recommended guidelines.

 

Master Plan, Pre-architectural Program and Needs Assessment
Otero County, Alamogordo, New Mexico (1995)

Description: Developed master plan, pre-architectural program and needs assessment for county jail. Collected data for an operational study, inmate profile analysis and staffing analysis. Assisted in developing a pre-architectural design, architect selection, and performing site selection. Conducted study tours of model facilities. The planning effort followed the PONI Program’s recommended guidelines.

 

Pre-architectural Planning for Regional Juvenile Facility
Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments (1995)

Description: Developed needs assessment and pre-architectural program for regional juvenile facility serving three counties and two tribal nations. Collected data for an operational study, resident profile analysis, site selection criteria, and staffing analysis. The planning effort followed the PONI Program’s recommended guidelines.

 

Bernalillo County Detention Center Study and Analysis
City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, New Mexico (1995)

Description: Conducted an in-depth study and analysis of the conditions in the Bernalillo County Detention Center. The study identified methods to reduce facility crowding and evaluated personnel issues, accreditation, and management effectiveness.

 

Facility Transition and Activation and Public Safety Administrator Selection
Broome County, Binghamton, New York (1995-1996)

Description: Provided project coordination and oversight for the occupancy of the new 400 bed direct supervision facility. Assisted the transition coordinator in the completion of all required tasks for the move. Coordinated the recruitment and selection process for a new public safety administrator.

 

Shelby County Department of Corrections Study and Analysis
Shelby County, Memphis, Tennessee (1995-1996)

Description: Conducted an in-depth study and analysis of the conditions in the Shelby County Department of Corrections. The study identified methods to reduce facility crowding and evaluated personnel issues, accreditation, and management effectiveness.

 

Juvenile Detention Center Transition and Activation
Hudson County, Secaucus, New Jersey (1995-1996)

Description: Provided project coordination and oversight for the occupancy of the new direct supervision juvenile detention facility. Developed essential department documents to include the Policy and Procedure Manual, Post Orders, and Equipment List. Trained key department staff in the operation of the new facility.

 

Pre-architectural Planning and Operational Study
City of Hammond, Indiana (1995)

Description: Developed pre-architectural program for city jail and criminal justice complex. Conducted assessment of the criminal justice system to determine future requirements. The planning effort followed the PONI Program’s recommended guidelines.

Pre-architectural Planning for New Juvenile Facility
Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas (1991-1993)

Description: Planned and developed a new juvenile detention facility for Wyandotte County. Planning included the development of a pre-architectural program, design review, and staffing analysis. The planning effort followed the PONI Program’s recommended guidelines.

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 Further Examples of Planning Projects

Orange County, Texas
Orange, Texas
Local Criminal Justice System Assessment

Singapore
Republic of Singapore
Facility Transition and Activation

Simpson County
Mendenhall, Mississippi
Facility Assessment, Security Assessment, Staffing Analysis and Evaluation of Policies and Procedures

Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments
Gallup, New Mexico
Juvenile Detention Facility Data Collection, Inmate Profile Analysis, Staffing Analysis, Site Selection and Pre-Architectural Planning

Weber County
Ogden, Utah
Facility Assessment, Security Assessment, Staffing Analysis and Evaluation of Policies and Procedures

City of Olympia
Olympia, Washington
Jail Operations and Management Study, Development

Orange County
Orlando, Florida
Criminal Justice System Evaluation and Analysis

Hillsborough County
Tampa, Florida
Data Collection and Inmate Profile Analysis

Thomas County
Colby, Kansas
Criminal Justice System Analysis

New Mexico Department of Children,
Youth, and Families
Santa Fe, New Mexico
First Offender Program, Alcohol and Drug Education Program, Community Service Program, Violent Intensive Probation Supervision Program, and Family Support Program

Lake County
Crown Point, Indiana
Data Collection and Inmate Profile Analysis

Erie County
Erie, Pennsylvania
New Facility Transition/Activation Project and Staff Training

Pueblo County, Colorado
Pueblo, Colorado
Population Projections and Staffing Analysis

Hinds County
Jackson, Mississippi
New Facility Transition/Activation Project and Staff Training. Juvenile Detention Facility Data Collection, Inmate Profile Analysis, Staffing Analysis, Site Selection and Pre-Architectural Planning

Weld County
Greeley, Colorado
Development of Policies and Procedures Manual, Post Orders

Harford County, Maryland
Bel Air, Maryland
New Facility Transition/Activation Project and Staff Training

City of Anacortes
Anacortes, Washington
Facility Assessment, Jail Operation and Management Study

City of Kansas City
Kansas City, Kansas
Consolidation of City and County Jails

Allegheny County, PA.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Data Analysis, Staffing Analysis Design Assistance, and Program Management for new 2,000 beds, Assessment for Remodel of Old Jail

Hammond Indiana Police Department
Hammond, Indiana
Pre-Architectural Planning

Dutchess County, New York
Poughkeepsie, New York
Pre-Architectural Program, Data Analysis, Design Assistance, Life Cycle Cost Estimate, and Program Management. Remodel of Existing Jail and Addition

Josephine County, Oregon
Grants Pass, Oregon
Data Collection, Systems Analysis, Site Selection, and Corrections Master Plan

Dodge County, Nebraska
Fremont, Nebraska
Data Collection, Systems Analysis, Corrections Master Plan, Plan and Design Review

Summit County, Colorado
Breckenridge, Colorado
Data Collection, Systems Analysis and Corrections Master Plan, Site Selection, and Design Review

Ottawa County, Michigan
Grand Haven, Michigan
Data Collection, Systems Analysis/Corrections Master Plan, and Site Selection

State of Washington
Department of Corrections Design/Build of 500 bed prison facility

Fremont County, Colorado
Canyon City, Colorado
Data Collection, Systems Analysis/Corrections Master Plan for Sheriff, Jail, Public Defender, District Attorney, and Plan Design through Construction

Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana
Houma, Louisiana
Data Collection, Systems Analysis and Corrections Master Plan, and Design Review

Boulder County, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Data Collection, Systems Analysis, Staffing Analysis, Corrections Master Plan, Site Selection, Project Management of 289 bed jail

Adams County, Colorado
Brighton, Colorado
Staffing Analysis and New Facility Transition Preparation Sullivan County
Elizabethton, Tennessee
Facility Assessment and Crowding Reduction Strategies

Clallam County, Washington
Port Angeles, Washington
Facility Analysis and Staffing Analysis

City of Baltimore, Maryland
Organizational Study and Staffing Analysis

Sonoma County, California
Santa Rosa, California
Organizational Study and Staffing Analysis

Sedgwick County, Kansas
Wichita, Kansas
Consolidation of all Public Safety Agencies into one building

Monmouth County, New Jersey
Freehold, New Jersey
Development of Transition Team

Roosevelt County, New Mexico
Portales, New Mexico
Data Collection, Master Plan and Pre-architectural Program

Phillips County, Arkansas
Helena, Arkansas
Independent Review of Jail & Sheriff Department Construction Drawings

Clay County, Missouri
Liberty, Missouri
Independent Review of Jail & Sheriff Department Construction Drawings

Providence of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Canada
Transition and Jail Activation Consulting

Pierce County, Washington
Tacoma, Washington
Transition and Jail Activation Project

Lewis & Clark County, Montana
Helena, Montana
Transition and Jail Activation Project

Linn County, Oregon
Albany, Oregon
Jail Planning Project and Development of Project Management for the Construction

El Paso County, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Staffing Analysis and Court Complaint Assistance

Ward County, North Dakota
Minot, North Dakota
Jail Plan and Design Review and Staffing Analysis

Blackhawk County, Iowa
Waterloo, Iowa
Jail Planning, Site Selection and Facility Design Review

Henderson County, Texas
Athens, Texas
Site Selection

Morris County, New Jersey
Morristown, New Jersey
Jail Planning and Site Selection

Weld County, Colorado
Greeley, Colorado
Jail Remodel Project, Staffing Analysis and Data Collection, Policy and Procedure Manual Development

Olmsted County, Minnesota
Rochester, Minnesota
Consolidation project, Police, Sheriff, and Jail Pre-Architectural Program

Navajo Nation
Shiprock, New Mexico
Pre-architectural Programs for 5 Juvenile Facilities

Central Ohio Regional Jail
Toledo, Ohio
Selection of an Administrator for Consolidation and Development of Regional Jail

City of Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Minimum Security Jail Planning Project, Site Selection and Security Planning, De-Consolidation from County

Bradley County, Tennessee
Cleveland, Tennessee
New Jail Facility Design Problem Solving, Planning and Staffing Analysis

State of Washington
Olympia, Washington
Consulting on Organizing State Wide Training and Planning for New Jails Under a Monetary Disbursement Plan from the State

S. E. Kansas Regional Correctional Facility
Ft. Scott, Kansas
Transition to New Jail

Marion County, Oregon
Olympia, Oregon
Jail Planning and Old Jail Facility Assessment

Benton County Regional Jail
Corvalis, Oregon
Facility Assessment, Security Assessment, and Staffing Analysis

Peoria County, Illinois
Peoria, Illinois
Facility Assessment and New Jail Planning Consultant

Orange County, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Facility Assessment and New Jail Planning Consultant

Thurston County, Washington
Olympia, Washington
Jail Remodel Design, Increased Capacity, Construction Review, and Staffing Analysis

City of Boston
Boston, Massachusetts
Site Selection for New City Prison

Colville Confederated Tribes
Nespelem, Washington
Facility Planning and PONI Phase I

Monroe County, Pennsylvania
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Facility Transition and Activation Services, Staffing Analysis, and Facility Operational Analysis

Tarrant County, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Facility Transition and Activation Services

Gwinnett County, Georgia
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Staffing Analysis and Facility Activation and Transition Services

Clarion County, Pennsylvania
Clarion, Pennsylvania
Facility Transition and Activation Services

Charleston County, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Facility Operations Audit

Lauderdale County, Mississippi
Meridian, Mississippi
Facility Operations Audit

Utah County, Utah
Provo, Utah
Facility Transition and Activation Services

Chatham County, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Pre-Architectural Program, Design Assistance, Staffing Analysis, & Transition and Activation

Cherokee County, South Carolina
Gaffney, South Carolina
Master Plan and Pre-Architectural Program

Hawaii Department of Public Safety
Honolulu, Hawaii
Corrections Master Plan

Beaufort County, South Carolina
Beaufort, South Carolina
Facility Transition and Activation Services

Orange County, New York
Goshen, New York
Design Review Services

Delaware Department of Corrections
Dover, Delaware
Facility Transition and Activation Services Arlington County, Virginia

Arlington, Virginia
Facility Transition and Activation Services

Richmond City Jail, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Management and Operational Analysis

Alachua County, Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Pre-Architectural Program, Life Cycle Costing, and Staffing Analysis

Bristol County, Virginia
Bristol, Virginia
Training and Development of an Inmate Classification System

Illinois Department of Corrections
Springfield, Illinois
Facility Transition and Activation Services

Greene County, Pennsylvania
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
Management and Operational Analysis

Broward County, Florida
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

York County, Maine
Alfred, Maine

Hamilton County, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio

Oakland County, Michigan
Pontiac, Michigan

St. Clair County, Michigan
Port Huron, Michigan

Racine County, Wisconsin
Racine, Wisconsin

Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington, Virginia

Canadian County, Oklahoma
El Reno, Oklahoma

Lee County, Iowa
Ft. Madison, Iowa

King County Dept. of Rehabilitation
Seattle, Washington

City of Kent Police Department
Kent, Washington

Aroostook County, Maine
Houlton, Maine

Hampden County, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts

Lewis & Clark County, Montana
Helena, Montana

Yuma County, Arizona
Yuma, Arizona

Fremont County, Wyoming
Lander, Wyoming

Jackson County, Oregon
Medford, Oregon

Seminole County, Florida
Sanford, Florida

Clallam County, Washington
Port Angeles, Washington

Flathead County, Montana
Kalispell, Montana

State of Ohio, Jail Inspections
Columbus, Ohio

State of Nebraska, Jail Inspections
Lincoln, Nebraska

State of New York, Jail Inspections
Albany, New York

State of Georgia, Jail Inspections
Augusta, Georgia

State of New Mexico, Jail Inspections
Santa Fe, New Mexico

Bernalillo County, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Strafford County, New Hampshire
Dover, New Hampshire

Washoe County, Nevada
Reno, Nevada

Cascade County, Montana
Great Falls, Montana

City of St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri

Madison County, Illinois
Edwardsville, Illinois

Winnebago County, Illinois
Rockford, Illinois

Kootenai County, Idaho
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Bannock County, Idaho
Pocatello, Idaho

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