The study goes on to report that the housing pod for adult female inmates is currently one of the least efficient housing pods in service with a ratio of one staff member to 36 inmates. By redesigning and slightly expanding the space, the architects have fit in another 25 beds, safely increasing the ratio to one to 60, staff to inmates.

Scheduled to follow the completion of this first phase, phase two would include the medium security 44,720-sf addition of a 60-bed housing unit for the general male population. Future phases may involve relocating the sheriff's office and will connect the expanded adult facility with the juvenile center, which currently is an on-site satellite building sharing such functions as food and laundry.

KKE's lead designer Randy Lindemann says the intake center will be column-free in construction, which means no structural obstructions increasing safety for both inmates and staff. "As the most recent design in the state, Dakota County's jail will feature the most modern booking center complete with a decontamination area for disposing of toxic and hazardous substances that may absorb into clothing such as those associated with methamphetamines," Lindemann says.