The Indiana Department of Administration (IDOA), in conjunction with the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC), secured legislative approval to replace the aging 3,400-bed Westville Correctional Facility on land owned by IDOA directly south of the existing campus.
Westville Correctional Facility first opened in 1951 as a state-run mental health facility. It was renovated and expanded in 1979 to serve as a state prison. After a thorough evaluation, it was determined that the campus buildings were not up to current code and standards for a safe environment for both incarcerated individuals and staff, and it would not be economically feasible to salvage the buildings.
Elevatus Architecture was selected to lead an effort, from planning through construction completion, to design a Westville replacement facility.
The campus design consists of 28 buildings (4 set for renovation) totaling approximately 1.4 million SF, with a projected bed count of 4,208. The campus’ administrative spaces will be enhanced to provide amenities for staff that they have not been afforded in the existing facilities. For the incarcerated individuals, new programs will be afforded, including a medical component and a dedicated Mental Health building for the support and rehabilitation needs of these individuals. Recreational spaces, vocational programs, and industrial manufacturing are also included in the campus design.
To be named Northwest Indiana Correctional Facility, this will be the first new prison built in Indiana in more than 20 years.
The estimated duration of the project from inception to completion was scheduled to occur in a period of 5-6 years, with an estimated completion sometime in 2026.
After the project was green lit and the project team was assembled, IDOC announced plans to shutter the Indiana State Prison (ISP) in Michigan City and consolidate facilities in a new, larger modern prison campus. With the consolidation of the Westville and Michigan City facilities, this new prison will have a new name, which will be selected later.
