About the Project

THE CHALLENGE

In the past 10 years, criminal justice trends across the country have changed greatly, and the County of Berks’ approach to justice and confinement has also been modernized.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The County of Berks Board of Commissioners recommend the evaluation of a new facility.  Based on an assessment and forecast of the population, an understanding of current judicial system trends and a thorough study of the existing facility, it will be significantly more cost-effective to build a new facility rather than renovate the existing one. With more efficient, sustainable space for employees, visitors and the temporarily incarcerated, as well as flexible space for rehabilitation and education, those confined in the Berks County Correctional Facility will be better prepared to re-enter the community in a more productive manner.
Click Here to Download fact sheet

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee meets on Thursdays at 1 pm. The meetings are open to the public and held in person only at the Berks County Services Center, 633 Court Street, 13th Floor – Commissioners’ Boardroom, Reading, PA 19601. Agendas will be provided at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

The committee includes:

Kevin Barnhardt, Commissioner and Chair
Jeffrey Smith, Warden
Robert Williams, retired Chief APO/JPO
Ronald Seaman, Chief Administrative Officer
Stephanie Weaver, Public Relations Officer

Project Team

CGL – owner’s representative, CGLcompanies.com

Location

County Welfare Rd, Leesport, PA 19533

In close proximity to the current facility.

Funding

Once preliminary planning is completed, the County, along with its financial advisors, will evaluate the most efficient and cost-effective manner to pay for the new correctional facility.

Sustainability

The County of Berks will meet the community’s needs by planning and building a correctional facility that is secure, safe, sustainable and allows for compassionate confinement. Our intent is to promote and encourage the use of sustainable practices that support a high-performance building and cost-efficient operations along with prioritizing the health and well-being of those employed and temporarily incarcerated inside the new facility. Learn more about the County’s approach to sustainability for the facility here.