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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 6. Criminal Justice And Corrections
Agency 15. State Board of Local and Regional Jails
Chapter 81. Standards for Planning, Design, Construction, and Reimbursement of Local Correctional Facilities
11/13/2024

6VAC15-81-290. Required information for planning study.

A. The planning study shall include a statement acknowledging owners' and consultants' responsibilities for compliance with this chapter.

B. The planning study shall include a statement of the planned general population design capacity, as well as the number and capacity of temporary holding and special purpose cells of the proposed facility as detailed and approved in the needs assessment. If the capacity detailed in the planning study deviates from the forecasted capacity need shown in the needs assessment, the proposed interim capacity of the facility and the plan showing future expansion for achieving the approved capacity shall be detailed.

C. The planning study shall include, if applicable, a statement of rated capacity of the existing facility including current capacity of housing for custody levels, temporary holding, and special purpose.

D. The planning study shall include the operating program.

1. For new facilities, a written operating program describing the operating procedures envisioned for key operational functions such as, but not limited to, intake or release, inmate escorting, movement to and from court, medical, visitation, food services, program delivery, use of proposed technology, and related services such as video arraignment and telemedicine.

2. For renovations and expansions, any changes to the operating procedures shall be provided.

E. The planning study shall include a facility planning program setting forth the project requirements for building space by function, size, and quantity and addressing any special design considerations unique to the project.

F. The planning study shall include site data including site size, availability of utilities, and any other features of the site that would impact the facility design or cost.

G. Localities considering a campus style design concept that is designed to require the inmates to walk outdoors to access multiple buildings on the same site shall submit a written statement to the Board of Corrections detailing the management concept, anticipated staffing levels, and cost savings anticipated in construction and operation of the facility by this concept. Included in this request shall be a list of any specific sections of this chapter or 6VAC15-40 that are in conflict with the proposed facility with this management style and for which modification requests will be submitted. Explanation shall be given of how the security of individual buildings is provided in accordance with this chapter.

H. The owner shall submit a written statement to the Board of Corrections detailing the management concept (e.g., direct supervision, indirect supervision, hybrid, etc.) and anticipated operating procedures for the facility and anticipated staffing levels. Included with this statement shall be a request for modifications of specific sections that are in conflict with the proposed facility management style.

I. The planning study shall include a written description of the project setting forth:

1. The rationale for the building design.

2. The type of construction proposed.

3. A description of basic building materials and systems (structural; heating, ventilation, or air conditioning; security; etc.).

4. The size of the facility in gross square feet of floor area and size of facility in number of general population beds.

5. Building code designations as to the intended use group or groups, building code occupant loads, occupant load per this chapter, and construction type or types.

6. Provisions for future expansion based on findings in the facility program and needs assessment with number of beds, increased core, and support space.

7. Descriptions of proposed technology and related services.

8. Descriptions of sustainable design and construction initiatives proposed including energy conservation, resource management and environmental enhancements that can be benchmarked by third-party rating systems such as LEED, Green Globes, documenting compliance with ASHRAE 189.1, or the International Green Construction Code. Descriptions shall include benefits to the facility's users, environmental benefits and estimated payback timeframes. Initiates resulting in an increase in project costs shall be identified and include estimated costs.

9. Identification of specific items or features that increase the project cost of a median or basic jail building.

J. If the original jail is to remain open as a jail, the planning study shall include an assessment of the condition of the jail shall be performed by a licensed A/E, and estimated costs associated with necessary upgrades and phases shall be identified. The cost of staffing and documentation of staff efficiency for continued operation shall also be provided. Analysis of the condition assessment shall address life, health, and safety issues; excessive maintenance costs; excessive repair costs; excessive staffing due to design, limited capacity, program space, and distance to other facilities associated with a regional jail.

K. The planning study shall include conceptual floor plan or plans at a scale not smaller than 1/16 inch per foot, with indication by distinct symbols, overlays, or other means to denote the secure perimeter of the facility.

L. The planning study shall include conceptual building elevations at a scale not smaller than 1/16 inch per foot.

M. The planning study shall include a conceptual site plan at a scale not smaller than one inch per 60 feet indicating existing and proposed buildings, vehicular circulation, parking, outdoor recreation facilities and areas, security fences or walls, and future building expansions.

N. The planning study shall include a conceptual building section at a scale not less than 1/16 inch per foot if required to explain a multilevel building design.

O. The planning study shall include an energy analysis containing comparative fuel costs and energy conservation investigations including construction cost increase and savings, payback energy efficiency initiatives and other factors supporting the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and fuel selection.

P. The planning study shall include an analysis of staffing needs and a six-year operating budget cost for the proposed facility that includes:

1. Security positions indicating type of inmate supervision system proposed, specific security posts required, and anticipated hours that each post will be manned.

2. Nonsecurity staff functions and anticipated hours the posts will be manned.

3. Operating budget costs, with items such as the cost of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; utilities maintenance; food service; staff salaries; supplies; etc.

Q. The planning study shall include a construction cost estimate with a detailed description of the basis on which the estimate was made:

1. The construction cost estimate shall be based on the estimated cost as of the date of the planning study and shall also show the inflated values of the estimated costs as of the date of the midpoint of construction as proposed in the construction schedule. A chart shall be prepared in column format showing estimated building construction cost. Other costs as individual line items not included within the building envelope shall be added such as, but not limited to site development, professional fees, contingencies, permits, unusual site work, expanded core, and renovation. The estimate shall also show the sum of total project costs.

2. When projects involve a combination of two or more project types (new construction, renovations, and expansions) the construction cost estimate shall clearly identify the costs associated with each project type.

3. When items proposed exceed median construction costs, the construction cost estimate shall clearly identify such costs, and the need for such extraordinary work shall be fully explained and justified including the examination of alternative solutions. Examples of these items may include:

a. Expanded facility support services.

b. Unusual site conditions.

c. Utility runs beyond the limits of construction.

d. Virginia Department of Transportation turn lanes.

e. Sustainable design and construction initiatives.

4. When items proposed exceed median construction cost because of local requirement or desires, the work shall be specifically listed and the anticipated additional cost of each item identified. Portions of the project that are not eligible for funding reimbursement shall be clearly identified and costs tabulated separately. These items may include features such as:

a. Enhancements to meet local zoning or architectural requirements.

b. Stone facades.

c. Site constraints because of locations.

d. Slate roofs.

e. Retail stores.

f. Clock towers.

g. Copper roof.

h. Marble planters.

i. Brick outdoor recreation yard enclosures.

j. Loose equipment.

k. Inmate transportation tunnels or other passageways to courthouse.

5. In accordance with the Code of Virginia, only fixed equipment is reimbursable except in minimum security housing. Loose equipment or furnishings (i.e., those items not permanently or physically attached to the building) that are not reimbursable include the following items:

a. Blankets.

b. Chairs.

c. Curtains.

d. Desks.

e. Fire extinguishers.

f. Lamps.

g. Mattresses and pillows.

h. Medicines and medical equipment.

i. Movable beds.

j. Movable shelving.

k. Office equipment and furnishings.

l. Portable radios and communication devices.

m. Pots, pans, and utensils.

n. Small portable appliances.

o. Smoke machines.

p. Telephone handsets.

q. Televisions.

r. Uniforms.

s. Vehicles and vehicle equipment.

6. Additional items that are not considered to be eligible for reimbursement as a construction cost include:

a. Space for sheriff's functions unrelated to the operation of the jail.

b. Magistrate's offices.

c. Cost of financing or interest other than that calculated and provided by the Department of Treasury.

d. Land already owned by the owner.

e. Excess land not used exclusively for jail purposes.

f. Owner's operating or administrative budget or expenses.

g. Salary of an employee of any locality who is a participant in the jail project.

h. Owner's advertising fees, master planning, consultants, authority or board expense, legal fees, or similar items unrelated to planning, design and construction of the jail.

i. Selection of overly expensive design, building materials, or systems.

j. Repair of existing facility.

k. Oversized utility lines, central plants, or other similar services, onsite or off site, to provide service to facilities other than the jail now or in the future; if a portion of this is deemed reimbursable, it may be approved on a percentage of use by facility basis.

7. Items deducted from project cost:

a. Any money realized or planned to be realized from the sale or transfer of any building or real estate associated with existing jail in order to procure a site and construction of the new jail or expansion shall be reported and shall be deducted from the project cost.

b. Any grants received for construction shall be reported and shall be deducted from the project cost.

R. The planning study shall include a schedule for planning and construction of the project including at a minimum milestone dates for completion of design development drawings, completion of contract documents, start of construction (an executed construction contract and a notice to proceed), midpoint of construction, completion of construction, and projected date of occupancy.

S. The planning study shall include any other information that would be of value to a reviewing agency or the reviewing authority.

T. The planning study shall include a list of the sources of all allocated and projected construction or capital funds involved in the project.

Statutory Authority

§§ 53.1-5, 53.1-80, and 53.1-82 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 12, eff. March 8, 2018.

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