Location: Morehead, Kentucky

The Rowan County Regional Detention Center is a 75 bed, full service facility housing both male and female adult offenders in cell block and dorm settings. Included within the facility are areas for inmate programming, outdoor recreation, support space, administrative, kitchen and laundry areas.

A notable characteristic of this detention facility is that it was designed to be attached to the County Courthouse building. The two buildings are joined at the Detention Facility's secure garage-like sallyport.   This allows for ease of transporting inmates to court hearings, as well as making the movement between the Detention Center and Court a more secure undertaking.

Another feature particular to this jail is the way the facility control center handles the electronic security measures.   Instead of the usual electronic, LED lit graphic panels being used to perform the locking and unlocking of doors, turning lights on and off, annunciation of various alarms, etc., a computer touchscreen with color floor plans and symbols was installed.   This system has been found to require less maintenance due to reduced component malfunctions.   When repairs are needed, often the corrections/changes can be performed via modem from the manufacturer.

The building is a one-story masonry structure.   It has an exterior brick facing covering a grouted and rebar concrete block inner wall that has an interior steel frame with steel joists and concrete precast roof deck.   Interior finishes include metal plate and security plaster, gypsum board, suspended acoustical ceilings, carpet and tile floors.

The project design phase began in early 1989 with the construction phase starting in October 1989.   Construction was completed in early 1991.