Maine Department of Corrections, Women’s Reentry Center

Between 2002 and 2013, the number of women incarcerated in Maine grew nearly six-fold. Rather than building more prison beds and perpetuating a broken system, the Department decided that a more sustainable solution was to focus on reentry. The State recognized the need to help offenders change their attitudes and beliefs about crime and prepare for life in the community as healthy/productive individuals.

After a very successful pilot program, the Department began planning a new facility with clear goals in mind:

• Locate near the center of the population, community services, and employment opportunities.
• Provide plenty of spaces to allow programming and family reunification, and an environment to facilitate appropriate interactions and behavior.
• Provide a non-prison environment filled with natural light and easy access to the natural environment with views and outdoor recreation, gardens and education areas.

The new 96-bed 24,000 square foot facility houses minimum-custody and community-release status female residents serving the final years of their sentences. The operations strategy provides high levels of freedom contingent upon personal accountability. Residents can leave the non-secure building for work or volunteer opportunities and return for educational, behavioral and wellness programming.

The Center is sited directly on a heavily traveled road considered a “gateway” to the town of Windham. The design approach mitigated neighbors’ concerns regarding a typical correctional institution. The contemporary siding achieves the desired aesthetic effect while offering reduced maintenance and increased longevity.

Three operational goals drove the programming and design for the housing area: provide a residential-scale environment, divide the population into smaller groups more appropriate for the female population, and maintain openness to provide observation. The four housing pods open to separate “living rooms” including comfortable furniture and soft finishes providing a quiet calm environment. The living rooms open to a central “great room”, a reconfigurable space for group programming activities. The configuration allows the staff to easily move through the spaces, interacting with residents while maintaining a clear view to housing areas.

The reentry mission and program theme, “Waves of Change, Oceans of Possibilities,” offered wide latitude for softer, contemporary finishes and inspired many material and color selections. Abundant natural light, views, and an open floor plan with excellent sight lines creates a safe, supportive environment for residents and staff alike, providing rehabilitative, educational and residential spaces to prepare residents with the resources to transition back into a successful life in the community.

The Women’s Reentry Center project (WRC) aligns perfectly with the AIA’s statement of values.

We stand for equity and human rights
The WRC facility and supporting program is designed to provide the residents with the opportunities, skills and support to successfully transition back to society.

We stand for architecture that strengthens our communities
The local community was in strong support of the facility and program design. The neighboring non-profit horse farm is a strong supporter of the project through the volunteer opportunities and rehabilitation programming it provides the residents; a mutually beneficial relationship.

We stand for a sustainable future
The WRC was designed to meet all of the metrics established by the AIA ‘Academy on Architecture for Justice’s’ ‘Sustainable Justice Guidelines’, a set of criteria with the goals of reducing the incarcerated population in this county and supporting the individuals that live and work in these institutions.

We stand for protecting community from the impacts of climate change
Sustainable design features integrated into the design of the facility include: heat recovery HVAC, LED lighting, low flow plumbing fixtures, a vented rain screen façade with continuous mineral fiber insulation, ample natural light, and ample use of low and no maintenance materials. Additionally, the location of the facility reduces transportation distance substantially.