Although criminal justice planners and architectural firms have the technical expertise to plan and design a new jail, the jurisdiction will operate the jail long after the planners and architects are gone. This 24-hour training is designed for key policy and decision makers with roles in the new jail project. The course teaches concepts through case studies, allowing participants to get "hands-on" experience in planning methods. The course focuses on the critical elements of planning a new facility, including collecting and using data, pre- architectural programming, site evaluation, project management, and determining staffing needs.
Mandatory attendees include the sheriff, at least one member of the jurisdiction’s elected legislative body, the jurisdiction’s administrator or manager and the jail facility’s administrator. The class is designed for up to 24 participants so additional jurisdictional offices that would be involved in the development and construction of the new facility could also attend.