Youth Detention Center

Empowering Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Youth

The Youth Detention Center (YDC) is an institution dedicated to offering housing and services for pretrial youths facing adult charges. In collaboration with the broader master plan for Maryland’s Correctional Complex in Baltimore City, we actively participated in the planning and design of this state-of-the-art facility, prioritizing the rehabilitation and reintegration of youth in Baltimore.

Previously, the facility housing pretrial youths was situated near areas occupied by adults, lacking adequate separation between them. However, the YDC has been redesigned to make sure there is mandatory sight and sound separation from adult populations, enhancing the safety and well-being of the young residents.

The facility also houses the Eager Street Academy, a school administered by Baltimore City Public Schools. With a capacity to accommodate 230 high school juveniles, this academy empowers students to attain their diplomas from their respective home high schools. The Eager Street Academy is fully compliant with secondary level PSCP-IAC K-12 Facility Guides, assuring a conducive learning environment.

Client / Owner

Maryland Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services

Key Features

Key Feature

YDC: 65,000 sf for 60 detainees

Six housing units with an activity space, a multi-purpose room, a counseling room, and officer’s station

Gymnasium and community space

Offers a host of activities and services including education and training, medical care, recreation, food service, administrative support, and video and contact visitation

Separate booking and intake center

Eager Street Academy: 35,000 sf

Classrooms, media center, administration, health, art, science, special education resources, gym, computer ap, occupational lab, and vocational technology

Family and attorney visitation areas, security screening, central control, intake and release, physical and behavioral health areas, offices, and dining

Awards / Recognition

Award / Recognition URL

LEED GOLD

AIA Academy of Architecture for Justice Certificate of Merit

Awarded by American Institute of Architects Academy of Architecture for Justice in recognition of receiving the Certificate of Merit for demonstrating quality form, functionality, and current architectural response to complex justice design issues on the Baltimore Youth Detention Center in Baltimore City, Maryland.

Architecture Services ProvidedArchitecture Design Building Envelope Interior Design

I greatly appreciate the firm’s leadership, response time, and courtesy. It lifted the burden of such a large and geographically widespread group engaging 14 consulting A/E disciplines, over 10 state and city agencies, and an equally large and diverse user group.

S.K Kulkarni, PhD, PE

Director, DCCFM / DPSCS

Project Achievements

Every project we undertake serves as a wellspring of knowledge and experience, feeding our collective growth and paving the way to optimize outcomes, leverage efficiencies, foster collaboration, and advance innovation. Throughout the journey of this project, these accomplishments have been instrumental in its overall success and have fortified our collective expertise.

Though the State originally requested the reuse of an existing old prison building, PRIME AE performed a new in-depth feasibility study and programming effort which concluded that the existing building would not meet the requirements of the project and would be more costly than demolition and building new. The extensive site investigation and planning effort concluded that the old prison building would be demolished and replaced.
The transformation of the of the old prison manufacturing facility into a modern detention school and food service center necessitated thoughtful revisions to the building’s structure, fire protective systems, establishment of a new means of egress, and the creation of new openings at the perimeter and roof for natural light. This complex undertaking required experienced code analysis and detailing, resulting in a successful outcome.
Our design adhered to best practices design for Juvenile Justice facilities including compliance with PREA sight and sound separation standards, the implementation of direct supervision housing and dayroom areas, and the provision of a robust, state-of-the-art security system with integrated IT/ AV/ Telecom systems linked to Central Control.
The project was carefully sequenced within the secure perimeter of the corrections complex. The award-winning design was welcomed by the city and community, reshaping the paradigm for Juvenile Justice facility best practices. It introduced features such as natural light, normalized environment and fixtures, wide corridors, creative use of durable materials, colors and textures, and clear sightlines and room transparency.
Through the design phases, the PRIME AE project team held regularly scheduled workshops to gather information, discuss requirements and options, present ongoing design development, create trust and collaboration, and make sure the team and all stakeholders understood the project’s goals.