Indiana Breaks Ground on $1.2 Billion Westville Correctional Facility
Indiana Breaks Ground on $1.2 Billion Westville Correctional Facility
Indiana has embarked on its most ambitious state building project yet, breaking ground on the $1.2 billion Westville Correctional Facility.
Announced as the largest and most expensive project in the state’s history, this facility is set to redefine modern correctional spaces.
Eric Holcomb, alongside construction and state officials, commemorated the project’s start during a ceremony in late 2023.
The new facility, spanning 1.4 million square feet, will replace the existing Westville Correctional Facility and the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.
Once completed, the campus will house up to 4,200 inmates and provide a state-of-the-art working environment for over 900 Indiana Department of Correction staff members
Designed by Fort Wayne-based Elevatus Architecture, the new prison will break from traditional designs.
Instead of towering buildings, the campus will feature single-story and low-rise structures to improve efficiency and avoid complications like elevator use.
The facility will include 240 beds specifically for mental health care, extensive classroom and vocational training spaces, and even staff-dedicated areas to promote well-being.
Security measures have been meticulously planned, incorporating advanced automation to remotely control cell doors and other operational features.
The construction materials include precast concrete and steel modular cells, ensuring both durability and cost efficiency.
The Westville Correctional Facility aims to set a precedent in sustainability, becoming the first in the U.S. to earn a Green Prisons Award.
Solar thermal technology will play a central role in heating water, mitigating one of the largest energy expenditures in correctional facilities.
The project also integrates advanced systems for energy distribution, including the use of chilled water delivery mechanisms to reduce overall energy consumption.
The construction, managed by the Build Westville joint venture, is a collaboration between Indiana-based F.A. Wilhelm Construction, Granger Construction from Michigan, and Garmong Construction Services from Terre Haute.
Together, these firms are executing a detailed plan to build the new campus while maintaining operations at the current site, located right next to the construction zone.
Slated for completion in early 2027, the prison promises to deliver a cutting-edge facility that prioritizes safety, efficiency, and rehabilitative services.
Beyond bricks and mortar, the project represents Indiana’s investment in upgrading its correctional infrastructure to meet modern standards and address long-term needs.