Detention facilities across the United States confront a mounting challenge: upgrading aging infrastructure to meet modern safety and security standards. Most of these facilities, constructed decades ago, require significant renovations. However, traditional procurement methods often prioritize cost over innovation, hindering essential upgrades that could enhance facility safety and operational efficiency. This article explores the impact of current procurement practices on detention facility projects and proposes reforms to foster innovation and improve security.

Inadequate Procurement Methods Compromise Facility Security

In the context of renovation or new construction, the prevailing procurement mindset treats detention facility projects as commodity-based undertakings. Systems and components like HVAC, kitchen equipment, and structural elements dominate the focus, with contracts awarded to the lowest bidder. While this approach appears fiscally responsible, it frequently undermines the potential for meaningful advancements in critical areas such as door and lock security systems—components vital for safety and operational reliability.

Government budgetary rules often create excessively large, "winner take all" projects managed by general contractors. These contracts prioritize overall cost savings but inadvertently limit opportunities for specialized, niche innovations. Smaller providers of cutting-edge locking systems are often excluded because their solutions must pass through layers of cost-focused decision-making. This procurement structure dilutes the emphasis on quality and safety in favor of minimizing costs, resulting in outcomes that fail to address specific needs.

Door and lock security exemplifies the pitfalls of this outdated procurement approach. Specification errors, low-bid bias, and lost focus on security can lead to inferior alternatives that compromise safety and require repeated fixes. In contrast, dependable locking devices are the backbone of any facility, ensuring inmate and staff safety.

A Path to Progress: Redefining Procurement Practices

To address these challenges and foster innovation, the corrections industry must separate cutting-edge solutions from commoditized services. A more intentional procurement process could significantly enhance facility safety and operational efficiency. Key steps for reform include:

• Decoupling security innovations from general construction and renovations to ensure these critical components receive necessary focus and investment.
• Adopting quality-driven RFPs that emphasize long-term value over immediate cost savings.
• Promoting direct procurement of specialized products to avoid unnecessary markups and maintain control over product selection.
• Requiring operational and safety priorities in project specifications to drive innovation and enhance safety.

Balancing cost and safety is crucial. Studies show that nearly two-thirds of contractors and federal decision-makers believe the low-price, technically acceptable (LPTA) approach sacrifices long-term value for short-term savings. Embracing change for safer facilities means aligning procurement practices with the values and priorities of those tasked with maintaining secure and effective detention environments.

By decoupling innovative solutions from traditional cost-driven methods, facilities can enhance safety, reliability, and operational efficiency. This shift is not just about adopting better products—it's about ensuring that detention facilities are equipped for the future, prioritizing the safety and security of both staff and residents.

Embracing Change for Safer Facilities

From a journalist’s perspective, it is clear that the current procurement practices in detention facilities need a fundamental overhaul. By focusing on long-term value and innovation rather than short-term cost savings, we can build safer and more efficient correctional environments. The key lies in redefining how we procure critical components like door and lock systems, ensuring they are robust, tamper-resistant, and capable of meeting the unique challenges faced by detention facilities. Only through such reforms can we truly prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone involved in these institutions.