Prochaska & Associates developed a Master Plan for a new 156 bed, 56,000 sq. ft. Jail and Justice Center for Adams County in Hastings, Nebraska.  This modern facility was needed to address severe Jail overcrowding and outdated systems.  After careful consideration of a significant addition to the existing downtown Courthouse, the decision was ultimately made to locate the new facility on an 11.2-acre greenfield site south of town.  Beginning with a state-mandated Needs Assessment, and followed by a Preliminary Concept Planning phase, a number of locations and options were considered by a 15-member Citizens Advisory Committee for relocation of the downtown Courts, Sheriff’s Office and Jail.  Following a successful bond campaign, the selected option involved construction of the Jail as a first phase, with pre-planned options for future expansion.

The Jail facility was designed containing both a single-story and mezzanine style Jail housing areas, constructed of load-bearing exterior precast concrete wall panels, with thin-brick veneer, hollow-core precast concrete roof plans, and steel internal framing.  The Jail housing consists of prefabricated steel cells across Minimum, Medium, and Maximum-Security pods, and Work Release dorms. A circulation path was designed to connect the Jail directly to the future Courthouse, and the entire site grading and site utility work was completed in advance of the future phase.