Grace Hebert Curtis Architects’ Phase I work for the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office Justice Complex included the planning and design of loading docks, controlled-humidity warehouses, a commercial kitchen, and a standalone mechanical and electrical plant that altogether encompass approximately 136,000 square feet.

For Phase II, the firm significantly increased the campus’ footprint and functionality by adding housing units, an Inmate Processing Center and an administrative complex totaling $145 million.

The new concrete-framed, eight-story housing structure with intermediate mezzanines contains celled and open dormitories of varying custody levels to accommodate 1,438 inmates. Exercise yards are adjacent to each housing unit to introduce fresh air and natural light into the dayrooms. All housing pods have adjacent control rooms, and a secure sally port that leads directly into holding and processing areas streamlines inmate movement.

The new four-story, 433,409-square-foot Intake Processing Center replaced multiple buildings that were rendered useless in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. It contains processing and booking areas, secure holding facilities, medical screening spaces, inmate release areas, property rooms and two courtrooms.

The three-story administration building consolidated many Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office operations. It accommodates specialized training and educational programs as well as a replacement computer facility that was previously located in the Community Corrections Center.