JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston at Joint Base Charleston - Weapons Station held a ribbon cutting ceremony June 21, unveiling a newly completed housing unit, enclosed weight room and maintenance building as part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure expansion.
The new 24,000 square foot housing unit expands the Brig's capacity by accommodating 80 additional prisoners. The housing unit includes prisoner sleeping quarters, showers, toilets and prisoner day rooms. Additional buildings include a 1,300 square-foot prisoner multi-purpose room for weight and gym equipment and a new 7,500 square foot maintenance shop to provide rehabilitative training for prisoners.
The original Brig housed up to 400 prisoners and was built in 1989.
The new facilities brings the total number of housing units at NAVCONBRIG Charleston to five, making it a 480-bed facility and further expanding the military correctional mission; the Brig serves as the Joint Regional Correctional Facility Southeast.
A ground-breaking ceremony for the new facility was held April 23, 2010. The new buildings were completed on time and at a cost of $8.1 million. The project provided numerous local jobs.
The new facility includes environmentally friendly features and was constructed in accordance with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design guidelines. The HVAC and electrical system was designed for LEED efficiency and sustainability. In addition, LEED-required recycling practices were followed during construction, achieving an 81 percent rate of recycle. These "green" initiatives will reduce operational and maintenance costs.
NAVCONBRIG Charleston houses prisoners from all branches of the military sentenced up to five years; longer sentences may be allowed on a case-by-case basis. The Brig provides extensive prisoner programs, including rehabilitative treatment, substance abuse treatment, counseling, education and training (academic, vocational, military, physical) and productive work.
NAVCONBRIG Charleston work programs support military and federal agencies to provide productive, cost-effective work, which also is used as a skill-training process. Work programs include carpentry and furniture making and repair, auto maintenance and repair, metal works and welding, sign making, upholstery, service dog training and culinary arts.