A Bridge Between Corrections and Community

The Virginia Department of Behavioural Health and Developmental Services operates the Virginia Center for Behavioural Rehabilitation, a treatment facility for sexually violent persons, which opened in 2008. Resident volumes have exceeded the originally planned capacity, and the design of the facility was based upon a standard direct supervision detention model. While the plans included program and activity spaces, these have proved inadequate. In addition, corridors are narrow and over-crowded, and there is insufficient space for staff to monitor residents.

Despite a high degree of treatment success at VCBR, it has been observed that the residential environment has not supported aspects of treatment and life skill building that could improve eligible residents’ ability to transition successfully to and remain in the community.

A New Expansion, With A New Model

In 2013, DBHDS selected us to design a much needed expansion for the facility. The expansion project seeks to improve VCBR’s capabilities to treat resident SVPs through provision of a multi-tiered environment that allows for increasing responsibility and self-management as residents progress through the program.

The first phase of the expansion will accommodate 182 of 258 anticipated incoming residents, with a second phase to follow. The residential space will be designed to house these 182 residents in 119 rooms. Shell space for an additional 52 bedrooms will be included.

Key features of the new expansion include:

• Improved and appropriate break-out and circulation space for residents and staff in a newly conceived, state-of-the-art Treatment Mall
• Space planning of living units based on the physical and behavioural complexities and vulnerabilities of particular groups — appropriate degrees of proximity and access
• New apartment-like transitional residential units should facilitate augmented programming and development of daily living skills for successful transition to the community
• A distinct, residential-style building that includes amenities such as laundry and kitchens for practice of daily living skills
• Communal areas to encourage social interaction and support

Our research team is investigating architectural best practices for behavioural health facilities at VCBR.