Brazos County Juvenile Justice Center

In support of a shift from intimidation to restorative design for juvenile justice facilities, Brazos County wanted to look at their existing juvenile facility and determine what the future looked like for their community. Our team assisted the county with a feasibility study and master plan for the expansion of their existing facility, addressing additional housing, new intake and medical space, educational areas, and support spaces. The county’s vision centered on a trauma-informed facility that supports youth from the moment they enter the facility to when they leave with a solid support network in place.

The building addition houses 32 additional youth in four 8-bed housing units, each with direct access to an outdoor area, a multi-purpose room, and an abundance of natural light. A central courtyard provides each housing unit with direct views to the exterior and provides outdoor recreation opportunities in a secure area surrounded by the buildings instead a security fence.

The intake area is treated with the same level of trauma-informed elements as the housing units, providing natural light, normative furniture, and calming colors. The project also expands education space for in-custody youth and provides a new alternative education program building for out-of-custody youth.  This program, located near the main entrance of the facility, provides education and therapeutic programming for youth and families during afternoons and evenings.