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Lancaster County residents learn about the design of a new prison

The public had a chance to comment on the proposed design for Lancaster County's new correctional facility. During a hearing Wednesday, residents were able to review initial designs of the project, which is in the first of three phases of development. “This is for them. It's for public safety from the community's perspective, but also the people who will work there and also live there. So we need to hear from all the different groups — what they feel, what they think. Because ultimately, it's for the whole community,” Commissioner Ray D'Agostino said. Blueprints and presentations from project engineers and developers were also available during the open house-style meeting. “People understand this is a necessary project, but they like the fact that they're seeing things they've already said in other hearings. And that's what we're doing — we're listening, we're responding, and that's what they're seeing,” D'Agostino said. The county purchased 75 acres of land off Willow Street Pike, behind the county park, for the new jail. The current correctional facility is located on a 2-acre lot in the city and dates back to 1851. Plans call for the new prison to be a single-story facility that minimizes noise and light pollution and has a non-institutional aesthetic with green space, trees and landscaping. Inside the prison will be 21 housing units with single beds instead of bunk beds. Inmates will have easy access to naturally lit areas, recreation rooms, programming rooms and counseling offices. “We are taking our time. We know it is an important project. It is a once-in-a-generation project. We want to make sure we do it right, and to do it right, we have to work with the community, with the people who actually work in this facility, visit it and are there,” D'Agostino said.Construction is scheduled to begin next year and the new jail is expected to open in 2027.You can see the schematic design and learn about the project at lccf-pa.com.Video below: Lancaster County Jail

LANCASTER, Pennsylvania —

The public had the opportunity to express their opinion on the design of the new Lancaster County Correctional Facility.

During a hearing on Wednesday, residents were able to view initial renderings of the project, which is in the first of three development phases.

“This is for them. It's about public safety from the community perspective, but also the people who will work there and also live there. So we need to hear from all the different groups – what they're feeling, what they're thinking. Because ultimately, it's about the whole community,” said Commissioner Ray D'Agostino.

Blueprints and presentations from project engineers and developers were also available during the conference day.

“People understand that this project is necessary, but they like the fact that they are seeing things that they have already said in other hearings. And that's what we do – we listen, we respond, and that's what they see,” D'Agostino said.

The county purchased 75 acres of land on Willow Street Pike behind the county park for the new jail. The current correctional facility is located on five acres of land in the city and dates back to 1851.

According to the plans, the new prison will be a single-story facility that minimizes noise and light pollution and has a non-institutional aesthetic with green spaces, trees and landscaping.

Inside the prison, there will be 21 housing units with single beds instead of bunk beds. Inmates will have easy access to naturally lit areas, recreation rooms, programming rooms and counseling offices.

“We're taking our time. We know it's an important project. It's a once-in-a-lifetime generational project. We want to make sure we do it right, and to do it right, we have to work with the community, with the people who actually work at this facility, visit it and stay there,” D'Agostino said.

Construction is scheduled to begin next year and the new prison is scheduled to open in 2027.

To view the schematic design and learn about the latest developments in the project, visit lccf-pa.com.

Video below: Lancaster County Jail

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