Iowa State Prison – Fort Madison

The ISP Fort Madison project involved construction of a new maximum-security correctional facility designed to house 800 inmates; work included foodservice and laundry facilities design. The foodservice component supplies all meals for ISP and ancillary facilities, approximately 4,000 inmate meals and 400 staff meals per day.

The facility includes a central kitchen with two meal assembly areas, hot cart parking, and a distribution refrigerator; a bulk food storage area; offices for foodservice directors and coordinators; and secure on-site storage areas. To minimize security risks and expedite the serving process, meal service for all areas utilizes a pre-portioned dual compartmentalized tray system. Remote unit staging areas include space for tray loading and unloading, a small beverage counter space, and trash disposal containers.

All laundry is processed in a central laundry facility equipped with washers, dryers, folding tables, mending and sorting areas, clean and soiled laundry holding, cart parking, secure chemical storage, and an inventory room. Additionally, there is a private office, equipment room, and loading dock to support laundry service.

Correctional foodservice poses unique needs as inmates work side-by-side with staff in an environment that provides access to items that could be used as weapons. During schematic design we consider a variety of security concerns. Offenders enter dining rooms through vestibules equipped with metal detectors. Walk-in refrigerators have clear doors, freezers have over-sized viewports for improved visual control, and emergency door releases are only provided on the kitchen side of the doors. Throughout this project, the objective was to maximize control and minimize the potential for conflict. Working closely with the Department of Corrections, we developed a design that met these objectives and serves as a model for the entire state.