SCI Cresson Level Three Medium Security Housing Unit

State of Pennsylvania

USA designed a Level Three Medium Security Housing Unit for the State Correctional Institute at Cresson, in Cambria County Pennsylvania.

The two-story building is based on a podular design that includes two separate housing blocks on either side of a central control area.  The building is a masonry design, which uses a combination of conventional construction methods and pre-fabricated concrete panels.

Other spaces within the building are organized around two Dayrooms including staff offices.  The building features sliding cell doors, stainless steel toilet / sink units within the cells and high-tech electronic security systems which are fully integrated for Door Controls, Closed Circuit Television, Intercom / Public Address components and fire detection / protection system.

The Cresson Site was challenging as the only available open space within the fully fenced institution was a sloped area constrained between existing buildings and a perimeter loop road.  Careful placement and orientation of the building was necessary to maximize site circulation while minimizing relocation of underground site utilities, required cut and fill, removal of previously abandoned building foundations, and relocation of an Electrical Bunker and the loop road itself.  Site adaptation included a brick facade with accent features of native stone to blend with the venerable brick and stone buildings throughout the institution.

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