After reviews by Nebraska Jail Standards, Washington County was faced with the option of continuing the costly practice of transporting inmates, or to build a new jail to accommodate their annual daily population growth.  After reviewing the existing conditions and providing an assessment of the Sheriff’s office and jail, it was determined to utilize the original building as multiple county offices and build an addition to solve staff and inmate safety.

Prochaska & Associates developed a creative solution that went underground with much of the facility, using a full basement to give the illusion that the building is only a single story, and not to take away from the connected historical courthouse.  Tunnels are used to escort inmates to the county and district courtrooms to eliminate any interaction with the public.  A combination of a single story jail and mezzanine jail is used to fit 120 beds on the site while minimizing supervisory staff.

Prochaska & Associates assisted the County during a successful bond campaign, which funded the entire project.  The new facility relates to the building materials, colors, and style of the existing county office annex and historical courthouse.  The original Sheriff’s offices and jail are converted into a new jail intake area.