Bladen County Law Enforcement Center and Detention Center

Public Access and Operations

The facility's design emphasizes accessibility and efficiency through a centralized public lobby featuring reception and video visitation areas. The magistrate's office location allows access from both the public lobby and the staff intake and booking entrance, creating an effective flow between public and secure zones. Essential components include a vehicle sally port, intake area, and booking facilities, all designed to improve operational efficiency.

Housing and Supervision

The detention area comprises six housing pods – five individual-cell pods and one dormitory pod – enabling optimal inmate classification and separation. Each housing pod is equipped with video visitation capabilities and provides access to a shared outdoor recreation area. The second-floor master control room creates a compact, staff-efficient configuration while maintaining comprehensive surveillance of both the housing pods and outdoor recreation area.

Design Approach

The facility's design reflects the region's agricultural heritage, incorporating elements reminiscent of southern tobacco curing barns. The choice of brick as the primary exterior material provides long-term durability and creates an appealing, non-institutional appearance that fits its dual role as a law enforcement facility and detention center.

Sustainability Features

The facility incorporates energy-efficient features, including LED lighting throughout interior and exterior spaces. The interior LED fixtures in operational areas such as offices and control rooms offer 100% dimming capability for task-appropriate lighting. Additional sustainable elements include a highly-reflective roofing membrane for improved summer cooling efficiency, a continuous air and vapor barrier system for enhanced moisture management and reduced air infiltration, and water-conserving plumbing fixtures throughout both secure and administrative areas.

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