Architecture at the Intersection of Staffing and Security, featured in Correctional News

Industry leaders, including GMC’s Hillary Morgan, discuss design strategies shaping safer and more resilient justice facilities.

By Lindsey Coulter and GMC Vice President of Justice Architect Hillary Morgan

As correctional agencies grapple with staffing shortages, evolving security threats, and shifting philosophies around rehabilitation and treatment, architects, planners, researches and strategy/positioning teams are increasingly asked to do more than deliver secure buildings. They must help shape safer workplaces, support staff wellness, anticipate emerging risks and create facilities that reflect a more holistic approach to justice.

The discussion explores how research, planning and design can support recruitment and retention by prioritizing staff safety, mental health, and operational efficiency, from clear sightlines and intuitive layouts to wellness spaces to access to daylight. The discussion also addresses how contraband concerns, including the growing threat of drone delivery in outdoor and public-adjacent spaces, are influencing facility planning, materials and security strategies.

Finally, they share insights into which sectors of the justice system are seeing the greatest demand for new or replacement facilities, highlighting growth in mental health, adult corrections, reentry and vocational environments. Together, there is a central theme: thoughtful, evidence-based planning and design is an essential tool in building safer, more resilient, and more humane justice facilities for both staff and occupants.

Correctional News: As staff recruitment and retention continue to be a struggle for many correctional facilities, how can architects help support these efforts through design?

Morgan: Architects have a vital opportunity to enhance staff recruitment and retention in correctional facilities by designing environments that emphasize safety, wellness, operational efficiency and professional dignity. While staffing challenges are often influenced by operational and cultural dynamics, the physical environment plays a significant role in shaping daily stress levels and job satisfaction. We design thoughtful solutions that can create supportive spaces that foster a positive work experience and contribute to long-term staff stability. By recognizing the impact of design on staff well-being, architects can help correctional facilities become more attractive and sustainable workplaces.

CN: How do contraband issues influence the design of facilities- including the threats of introduction from drones in outdoor recreational areas and other public-adjacent spaces?

Morgan: Contraband concerns, both traditional and emerging, are increasingly shaping modern correctional facility design. As interdiction methods evolve, especially with the rise of drone delivery, architects must implement comprehensive, multi-layered security strategies across both indoor and outdoor environments. We address contraband risks by incorporating layered physical, technological and operational defenses rather than relying on a single solution. We collaborate closely with security and operations teams to identify high-risk vectors and tailor architectural responses accordingly. Public-adjacent edges, delivery zones, and outdoor yards are designed with security in mind.

Additionally, we ensure that our designs and materials support visibility, monitoring and prevent concealment. Every space is planned with the understanding that effective contraband prevention is essential to staff safety and overall facility stability.

CN: What sectors of the justice system (i.e., adult, juvenile, vocational, reentry, mental health) are showing the most growth/demand for new facility design?

Morgan: The greatest growth for us is in the mental health and adult corrections sectors. There is increasing demand for facilities that integrate behavioral health services, crisis stabilization and specialized units for individuals with mental health needs. In adult corrections, modernization and replacement of aging infrastructure are priorities, along with the addition of medical and mental health units. While reentry and vocational facilities are also evolving, our primary growth is in mental health and adult corrections, where the need for innovative, treatment-oriented design is high.