Maine Department of Corrections Southern Maine Women's Reentry Center

Rehabilitation, education, and preparation for a positive reentry to society—these outcomes informed SMRT’s programming for this 96-bed reentry facility designed to house women who are designated the minimum-security and community-release status.

A residential and educational aesthetic ethic anticipates the transition from the corrections environment and contributes to reduced recidivism rates.

Residents can leave to go to work or volunteer opportunities and return to the facility to participate in instructional and wellness programming in the classrooms, yoga studio, teaching kitchen, and on-site vegetable gardens.

Client

Maine Department of Corrections

Location

Windham, ME

Square Feet

29,200

Completion Year

2017

Awards

AIA Academy of Architecture, Justice Facilities Review Program: Published (2019) 2019 AIA Academy of Architecture, Justice Facilities Review Program, Design Excellence Award Recipient

A fenced-in recreation area provides outdoor space for the residents and views of the landscaped grounds.

The residents of Southern Maine Women’s Reentry Center were critical to the design of the facility. Their involvement in visioning sessions inspired one of the guiding design themes, “Waves of Change, Oceans of Possibilities.” The new facility emulates and expands upon the cutting-edge, gender-responsive programming that Maine’s Department of Corrections was developing.

A couple of women lounge in a seating area next to a wall of windows providing natural light. Resident rooms surround the space on the far wall.

Residents come together in a central great room, situated at the intersection of all four housing areas. This space also enables staff straight-line visibility into every space, perfect for quickly surveying happenings and resident well-being.

Brightly painted duct work provides a colorful accent to the central great room. To the left, upholstered chairs and couches create a lounge space for residents. To the right, tables and chairs provide room for activities.

Coupled with the visioning aspirations of the user group, the design team was challenged to find creative ways to elevate the aesthetic of the facility while achieving the durability and maintainability standards required within a correctional environment. To accomplish this, designers utilized more conventional, cost-effective materials—but supplemented them with oceanic-themed colors, textures, and patterns.

Beyond the blue lounge chairs in the foreground, women are seated at the tables and chairs in the central great room with views through expansive windows to the outside.

A wooden staircase leads to the second floor of resident rooms.

At the heart of its sustainable design features, the project employed a fully ventilated rain-screen cladding system, the first of its kind in the region. This system was selected for its multiple environmental benefits, including superior insulation properties, a significant reduction in moisture-related issues, and an extended lifespan of building elements. These sustainable design choices were critical in balancing form and function.