Prison Profit Over PeopleWhat to know about the company that’s building

prisons and jails in California and the world.

A Member of Californians United for a Responsible Budget

As part of its Realignment Plan (AB 109), Los Angeles County is proposing a 5.7 million dollar consulting contract for to study whether we need additional jail cells. LA already has the largest jail system in the world, and as many as 7,000 "beds" are empty. Can we afford more jails, especially when we are closing schools, fire stations, libraries, parks and clinics? One thing is certain from California’s history - if we build jails and prisons, we will fill them, and overfill them, and fill them with people who don’t need to be there.

A Member of Californians United for a Responsible Budget

Does LA even need the study?

LA already contracted the Vera Institute to look atjail expansion. Vera agreed with community claims that the jails were being used unnecessarily, and recommended downsizing through release of people. The County Board of Supervisors is now looking for AECOM to study the issue again. Is it likely that a jail and prison construction company will recommend something other than construction?

This presentation is intended to raise some important questions, before LA moves forward to build more cells. Contact the Youth Justice Coalition -

freelanow@yahoo.com / www.youth4justice.org or CURB -

www.curbprisonspending.org for more information or to get involved.

AECOM’s Prisons: 1. 35 years of experience in the planning, design, and construction of “detention and correction facilities” throughout the world.

2. Includes prisons for youth, adults and “special needs populations” at “all security levels”.

3. Clients have included local city and county governments, state and provincial correctional authorities and national governments.

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AECOM SELLS ITSELF AS:

CO$T EFFECTIVE. “Over a 30 year cycle of a detention or correctional facility, only 10% of

total expenditures will be for cost related to capital development, while 90% of the cost

will be for staffing and operations. Our professionals recognize our responsibility as steward of the public trust relative to meeting

schedule and capital budget requirements, as well as in reducing the long term cost of

operations.”

AECOM SELLS ITSELF AS:

FORWARD THINKING. “We work with our clients to understand how the system works

today in terms of policy and procedure, and to tailor staffing patterns and operational

budgets to our design solutions... (including) * maximizing housing unit service delivery;

* video visiting/video court appearance; * tele-medicine; and

* assisting clients in evaluating alternatives to

incarceration and in tracking performance metrics.

AECOM SELLS ITSELF AS: GOOD NEIGHBORS. “We approach each

project with a spirit of discovery and apply design guidelines that have been proven to impact behavior

and to support staff morale. We are committed to working with our clients to reconcile the specific challenges of rehabilitating inmates while protecting and reassuring the public. Our portfolio reflects our ability to allay community concerns about the corrections and detention

facilities processes and purpose by developing facilities that can be "hidden in plain sight" and

that function as good neighbors within the community.

BUT

PRISON AND JAIL CONSTRUCTION SHOWS A DIFFERENT REALITY

Belmarsh West Prison, London, UKDesign, construction, management and financing of two new “custodial” facilities. AECOM was the technical advisor on both projects. The institutions are projected to be completed in 2012 and have a construction cost of $243 million. Intended to be a “public-private partnership” e.g. semi-private prison.

Delano II, Kern County, CAAECOM provided construction management services to the California Department of Corrections (CDC) for the construction of the $280 million California State Prison-Kern County Delano II. CDCR constructed a “5,080-bed maximum-security prison capacity 3,892 Level IV inmates” and “480 Minimum-Security Level I inmates.” The project incorporates 1,300,000 square feet of one- and two-story buildings on 500 acres, consisting of housing and dining areas; food preparation using cook and chill methods; visiting space; vocational and educational program space; recreation areas; infirmary and health service administration buildings; maintenance and utility facilities; and warehouses.

Central Prison, SumailAECOM is the justice design and security consultant for a new $100 million, 3,000- bed, multi- custody correctional complex for the Sultanate of Oman, Royal Police Force. The existing prison which dates back to colonial days, will be torn down and replaced with “a more modern and humane facility,” including “smaller housing components within four self-contained, secure prison compounds separated according to inmate typologies and designed to accommodate males, females, juveniles and special needs.” Dormitory housing for 6 to 16 people; 150 bed units located around a central outdoor courtyard, with the use of a combination of direct and indirect supervision anticipated; multi-purpose program spaces, dining facilities, and spaces for recreation. Central support areas are planned to include inpatient medical and outpatient clinics, central administration, security administration, and visiting facilities. Central warehousing, maintenance, food preparation, staff housing, and training are all provided for in a “separate compound.” “Masterplanning” has been completed to provide for an expected expansion to a 4500-inmate capacity.

Coleman Federal Correctional ComplexAECOM was the architect and engineer for this 1,850,000 square foot project in Coleman, Florida. One of the largest prison complexes in the U.S., it locks up more than 4,200 people and comprises nearly 30 buildings. In addition to the “masterplan” and architectural design, AECOM provided structural, electrical, and mechanical engineering services for the project. In AECOM’s words, “Care was taken to preserve wildlife, trees, and wetland vegetation on the prison's environmentally sensitive 1,400-acre site.”

Ezeiza Correctional ComplexAECOM provided architectural and engineering design services for this 860,000 square foot “penitentiary facility,” located on a “highly secure” 296-acre site in Argentina, with capacity for 1,620 people in single cells: (1) an intake and reception module for 300 people; (2) two maximum security modules for 300 people each; (3) two medium security modules for 300 people each; (4) a mental health module for 120 people; and a 150-bed hospital. Surrounded by an extensive double perimeter of 6.00 meter high double fences with microwave and buried cable perimeter intrusion systems and CCTV camera systems for perimeter security. Physical security throughout includes cast-in-place concrete walls and reinforced concrete masonry wall assemblies. A complete electronic security system was also designed and installed.

Grayville, Illinois Maximum Security Correctional CenterAECOM is designing and building a $131 million maximum security “correctional facility” with “eight housing units” (of 200 beds each), one 200-bed, minimum security housing unit, gun towers and sallyport building. In order to move 1,660 “maximum security inmates” in groups of 50 AECOM designed a Vehicle Surveillance System including the use of a “non-lethal” electric perimeter fencing system, and 4 control towers. A a biometric reader uses electronic fingerprint identification to track both prisoners and corrections staff. Video cameras “monitor officer safety, while derailing lawsuits that allege improper behavior.”

Lexington-Fayette Detention Center, KentuckyAECOM’s project was prompted by “need to replace outmoded and overcrowded existing facilities and an impending federal court deadline” to develop a new 1,280- bed “urban detention center expandable to 2,048 beds.” The site is “at a gateway intersection to a major scenic drive through Kentucky horse country” so “the design concept responded both to the operational objectives of the jail administration and the overarching concerns of the community regarding the siting of the facility along the important Frankfort Pikeview corridor. To limit the visual impact of a 427,000- gross square foot facility in a landscape more typically punctuated by 15,000- to 20,000-gross square foot horse barns, the facility was recessed into the crown of a hill in the center of the site. The only element visible from the Franklin Pike view corridor is the administration building, which has been treated to resemble an equine facility common to the landscape.” For all classifications - (special, minimum and maximum security) in a combination of single-cell, multi-cell and dormitory units.

Marin County JailAECOM was selected to plan, design, and provide construction services for Marin County’s new “state-of-the-art correctional facility.” Project connects Marin County’s hall of justice and Civic Center, “a national landmark” designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. To “preserve the character of Wright’s architecture, the facility is recessed into the hillside.” 222 medium-security, direct supervision cells arranged in six pods. Use of gray water for flushing and landscaping. Elimination of cell windows. (All natural light is provided by skylights and clear lights in the cells.) “Pod configurations” include three general population male pods of 41 cells each, one general population female pod of 35 cells, one pod of 14 protective custody and 14 administration segregation cells, and one medical/mental health pod of 36 cells.

Pima County Jail ExpansionAECOM's work on the Pima County Jail Expansion project consolidates, “modernizes,” and expands an existing 1,500 bed jail complex to a capacity of 2,000 beds. A clearly identifiable lobby was provided to replace “multiple entries” with adjacent video visiting facilities serving the entire facility, “eliminating both inmate and public movement for visiting.” The architectural design “emphasizes the new front door of the facility with a tree-shaded entry plaza. The materials and colors reflect the character of the desert mountains that serve as the backdrop for the facility.”

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Detention Facility

AECOM is part of a consortium including Au' Authum Ki (a community member) and Kitchell Contracting's Native American Division. AECOM contributed to the planning and design of this approximately 78,000 square foot facility for up to 120 prisoners and future expansion of up to 200. A curved wall at the front of the building “makes a welcoming gesture and gives unique character to the main elevation.” Adult and youth units as well as Medical building in the center. “The traditional sandwich style of construction which was used to build mud and adobe homes of the past was also an inspiration for creating the facility's architectural character.” The design concept “alludes to the stratification of a canyon wall or the banks of the Salt River. Roof profiles recall mesas, and the green tinted glass for the few windows that are required relates to coloration found in the landscape.”

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS SHOW: Traditional, maximum security design over more humane conditions & programming.

Reduced family connection.Despite rhetoric - no focus on

alternatives to incarceration.Hyper concern for NIMBY - political power of

connected over needs of those most impacted. Design over justice. Art of “hiding”

dehumanization.Old-school, super-max, failed designs

especially in less politicized jurisdictions and developing nations.

Campaign

Contribution$

influenceexplorer.comAECOM Campaign Finance$1,396,596 Given from 1991 - 201245,000 employees; #352 on Fortune 500This represents giving from corporation, employees and PAC.

influenceexplorer.comAECOM Campaign Finance$1,396,596 Given from 1991 - 201245,000 employees; #352 on Fortune 500This represents giving from corporation, employees and PAC.TOP CANDIDATE$:

influenceexplorer.comAECOM Campaign Finance$1,396,596 Given from 1991 - 201245,000 employees; #352 on Fortune 500This represents giving from corporation, employees and PAC.TOP PARTIE$’ GIFT$:

influenceexplorer.com

AECOM’$ STATE VS. FEDERAL GIFTS - THEY GIVE WHERE THE MAX BUILDING $ ARE…

At the state level, AECOM makes it hard to track giving to candidates. Hides their gifts through “lobbyist clients” so it goes to “issues and projects” instead.

influenceexplorer.com

SHERIFF BACA’$

CAMPAIGN FUNDRAI$ING

AECOM ContributionsLOCAL CONNECTION$

Possible ally? Ron Kaye

Former Editor of Daily News

Mayor and other City Officials traded $ for construction contracts on the West Side.

Goldman Sachs got 145.6 million from City Council for Playa Vista Luxury Housing

United Way got $80,000 contribution for Jobs Creation - pits indigenous environmental movement of Tongva Nation against CBOs funding job programs in low-income communities.

We have to assume that Sheriff Baca is watching. Cha-Ching $$$!!!

Join the movement for youth and community development over mass

incarceration.

Contact the Youth Justice Coalition freelanow@yahoo.com / www.youth4justice.org or

CURB - www.curbprisonspending.org for more information or to get involved.