2026 Projects to Watch
2026
Projects
to Watch
Multi-million justice and correctional projects are underway across the nation that will improve safety, care and outcomes for people in local, state and federal custody. Throughout 2026, Correctional News will follow these and other notable projects as they progress through planning, design, construction and occupancy.
Select a highlighted state or letter to view the project.
A. Gov. Kay Ivey Correctional Complex
- Elmore County, Ala.
- Owner: Alabama Department of Corrections
- Cost: $1.25 billion
- Size: 1.4 million square feet
- Phase: In construction
- Project Team: Caddell Construction, DLR Group, R&N Systems Design
- Estimated completion: Fall 2026
The Gov. Kay Ivey Correctional Complex is a new state men’s prison under construction as part of a comprehensive prison modernization plan. It is designed to replace aging facilities and incorporate enhanced medical, mental health, substance-use treatment, rehabilitative programming and vocational training spaces within a single campus.
The facility encompasses 54 buildings on roughly 300 acres and includes a secure perimeter. Upon completion, it will house approximately 4,000 inmates across minimum, medium, maximum, medical/mental health and intake beds.
B. Arkansas State Prison Project
- Location: Franklin County, Ark.
- Owner: Arkansas Department of Corrections
- Cost: $825 million
- Size: 720,000 square feet
- Project Team: HDR Inc., Cromwell Architects Engineers, Vanir Construction Management, Nabholz Construction, JE Dunn
- Construction Phase: Planning, preconstruction
- Estimated completion: TBD
The new 3,000-bed state prison is intended to address chronic overcrowding in existing facilities by including multiple custody levels, support facilities, and infrastructure such as wastewater treatment and power systems. Details regarding size, layout, and timeline remain in planning phases due to funding and site challenges.
C. San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
- Location: San Quentin, Calif.
- Owner: California Department of
- Corrections and Rehabilitation
- Cost: $239 million
- Size: 81,000 square feet of new construction
- Project Team: McCarthy Building Companies, DLR Group, Schmidt Hammer Lassen, Vanir
- Phase: In construction
- Estimated completion: Spring 2026
California is transforming San Quentin State Prison into a pioneering rehabilitation-focused institution that centers education, restorative justice and reentry support. Part of the “California Model” for corrections reform, the project incorporates a new three-building educational and vocational complex with high-tech classrooms, a media and technology center, a library, multipurpose gathering spaces, a café and store, and offices all designed to create a campus-like, rehabilitative environment.
D. Santa Rita Critical Operations Facility
- Location: Dublin, Calif.
- Owner: Alameda County, Calif.
- Cost: $270 million
- Size: 980,000 square feet
- Project Team: JE Dunn Broward Builders, a Joint Venture, Arrington Watkins Architects, CML Security
- Phase: In design
- Estimated completion: 2030
Santa Rita Jail houses more than 1,600 people and has faced longstanding functional and safety challenges due to aging infrastructure. This major renovation, which is currently in design, will repair and upgrade critical systems. Key upgrades include replacement of generators and electrical systems, installation of a new one-million-gallon water tank and redundant water main, full replacement of the building management system, upgrades to fire-life safety systems, security electronics, detention doors, and roof and HVAC repairs.
E. Duval County Jail
- Location: Jacksonville, Fla.
- Owner: Duval County
- Cost: $1 billion
- Size: TBD
- Project Team: CGL
- Phase: Planning, feasibility study
- Estimated completion: TBD
Jacksonville is planning a replacement for its aging Duval County jail, driven by structural issues, overcrowding, and concerns about health and safety at the current John E. Goode Pre-Trial Detention Facility. The most recent concept envisions a campus-style detention facility that offers improved living conditions, dedicated mental health treatment spaces, separate housing for women and juveniles, and classroom and visitation areas. The coalition of Sustainability Partners, Ajax Building Company, and HOK submitted an unsolicited plan that would cover site selection, feasibility, design, construction, and potential long-term leasing arrangements, though a competitive RFP process is expected to determine the project team.
F. Westville State Prison
- Location: Westville, Ind.
- Owner: Indiana Department of Corrections
- Cost: $1.2 billion
- Size: 1.4 million square feet
- Project Team: Elevatus Architecture, Build Westville Joint Venture (Garmong Construction Services, Granger Construction, and F.A. Wilhelm Construction), MH Group, Pauly Jail Building Company, Accurate Controls
- Phase: In construction
- Estimated completion: 2027
The new Westville State Prison will house approximately 4,200 inmates across maximum-, medium- and minimum-security units. The campus layout includes 28 buildings encompassing inmate housing, administrative spaces, program and vocational training areas, medical and mental-health facilities (including dedicated mental-health beds), security operations, food services, recreation and support facilities. Programmatic design emphasizes enhanced safety, expanded educational and vocational training, and modernized security systems.
G. New Jersey Women’s Prison
- Location: Burlington County, N.J.
- Owner: New Jersey Department of Corrections
- Cost: $312 million
- Size: Multiple facilities across a 33-acre site
- Project Team: Skanska Integrated Solutions, DRG Architects, HOK
- Phase: In construction
- Estimated completion: Phase I to open in 2027; full completion in 2028
New Jersey has begun construction on a new women’s correctional facility to replace the outdated Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women after years of documented safety issues. The facility will feature a multi-building campus with approximately 420 beds designed around trauma-informed and normative design principles that promote safety, dignity and rehabilitation. The campus layout centralizes essential services — including medical and mental health care, education, vocational training, addiction treatment, recreation and family visitation areas.
H. South Dakota Men’s Prison
- Location: Sioux Falls, S.D.
- Owner: South Dakota Department of Corrections
- Cost: $650 million
- Size: 540,000 square feet
- Project Team: HDR, JE Dunn Construction and Henry Carlson Construction Joint Venture
- Phase: Site work
- Estimated completion: 2029
South Dakota is moving forward with plans to replace its 140-year-old South Dakota State Penitentiary with a modern men’s prison to address severe overcrowding and outdated infrastructure. The old penitentiary operates well beyond capacity, prompting officials to seek a long-term solution. State legislators approved a $650 million funding package for a 1,500-bed facility consisting of multiple housing buildings with mixed cell and dormitory beds, designed for a 100-year lifespan and incorporating expanded space for vocational training, rehabilitation programs and enhanced security.
I. Ellis County, Texas, Juvenile Facility
- Location: Ellis County, Texas
- Owner: Texas Juvenile Justice Department
- Cost: $304 million (as part of a two-facility project)
- Size: Portion of 263,000-square-foot construction
- Estimated Completion: 2028
- Project Team: Not disclosed
- Phase: In design
- Estimated completion: TBD
The project is part of a statewide initiative to modernize juvenile corrections and relieve severe overcrowding. The Ellis County project is one of two new secure juvenile detention centers funded by the Texas Legislature — the other is located in Brazoria County. Each will have approximately 104 beds. The total project budget for the facilities combined is approximately $304 million. The Ellis County site is intended to serve youth with high-level mental health needs, reflecting a focus on therapeutic environments and rehabilitative programming. An architect/ engineer contract was awarded in June 2025, with design work underway and a design phase running through July 2026. The project timeline calls for construction to begin in April 2026.
J. Whatcom County Jail and Behavioral Health Center
- Location: Ferndale, Wash.
- Owner: Whatcom County
- Cost: Estimated at $160-$174 million
- Size: TBD
- Project Team: Clark Construction and RAM Construction Joint Venture, NELSON Worldwide Architects, RMC Architects
- Phase: In design
- Estimated completion: 2028
The comprehensive public safety and behavioral health facility will replace the aging Whatcom County Jail, creating a new justice and behavioral care center. The facility will combine a trauma–informed county jail with an adjacent behavioral healthcare center, integrating custody, treatment and diversion services. Early planning documents indicate that the facility will need approximately 480 by 2030 and 720 beds by 2050. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2026. The project is part of a broader strategy to reduce incarceration where possible and improve outcomes for individuals with mental health and substance use needs.