As its inmate population increased and aged, Oshkosh Correctional Institution (OSCI) felt the pressures of an outdated, undersized Health Services Unit (HSU). The original project program was based on the addition of 65 long-term care beds, with minimal support and clinic spaces. By evaluating the program together, OSCI and BWBR updated the order of priorities: create a functional clinic space, followed by remodeling the existing HSU, and lastly building a long-term care unit. BWBR developed a new program and closely aligned the budget with the project’s new direction.

The new clinic is designed with clean lines and clear visibility from the security/nurse stations to the patient spaces. A concentrated design workshop revealed that the best layout for the OSCI clinic is a double loaded corridor with the security station situated on one end and the patient treatment spaces on either side. Carefully coordinated phasing allowed the existing HSU to maintain operation during the construction of the new clinic.

The new long-term care unit is organized with patient rooms surrounding a centralized dayroom. Clerestory windows flood the common space with natural daylight, and the open area provides ample room for the ill and aging population to move easily, in addition to clear visibility for security. The long-term care unit’s layout streamlines the flow of services with palliative care rooms located near the family/public entrance and the long-term care rooms adjacent to the short-term care infirmary rooms.