Committee of the Whole of the Council of the District of Columbia Linda Cropp, Chairman John A. Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004

Good morning, Chairman Cropp and esteemed Committee-members.  I am Devon Brown, newly-appointed Director of the D.C. Department of Corrections.  Today marks my first appearance before you since my confirmation as Director.  I appreciate this opportunity to present remarks on the Capital Improvements Program for the D.C. Department of Corrections.   Joining me at the table is my Facilities Management Chief, Ajay Kapoor.

The Department of Corrections’ Capital Improvements Program (CIP) is the cornerstone of our strategy to ameliorate conditions at the Central Detention Facility (DC Jail).  We have developed an ambitious program that does not simply attack the symptoms but addresses the basic underlying infrastructural problems.  The projects included in the Program can be classified into one or more of four categories:

• improving the environmental conditions,
• ensuring safety,
• enhancing security, and
• extending the long-term viability of the facility.

The Department of Corrections’ aggressive implementation of these projects during the past five years, reflects the agency’s continued commitment to improve operations and conditions throughout the agency, with particular focus on the DC Jail.

The most immediate problems centered on environmental conditions -  the quality of air and water in the facility - which were also the main focus for various regulatory agencies and the Courts.  The HVAC equipment was dysfunctional, domestic water lines were corroded and leaking, kitchen floor was cracked all over, plumbing fixtures were leaking, lighting conditions were very poor, laundry equipment was inoperable and inmate showers were too few.  We immediately designed projects and awarded construction contracts to address each of these problems.  As of today, all HVAC equipment has been replaced, new water pumps and filters have been installed, all water mains and risers have been replaced, all tertiary water lines have been replaced, laundry devices have been renovated and the kitchen floor and its substrata have been replaced.  Plumbing and electrical fixture replacement is under construction and design of the inmate shower renovations project has been completed.

Despite these improvements, the existing fire alarm system is presently isolated and outdated; it is not integrated into a centrally monitored system.  Moreover, the facility does not have a sprinkler system installed for fire suppression.  To address these safety concerns, we designed the fire alarm and sprinkler system project.  A new state-of-the-art fire alarm system is currently being installed.  The sprinkler system portion of the project is in design at this time.

Public safety, which is the highest priority for the Department of Corrections, was severely compromised at the DC Jail due to a dilapidated security system. Closed-circuit television (CCTV), duress alarms, state-of-the-art metal detectors and X-Ray machines, for example, were virtually non-existent in the facility.  The emergency power backup was inadequate, staff and visitors’ entrances were ill-configured to promote security, elevators and escalators were virtually inoperable and impeded secure movement within the facility.  As part of our CIP, a new sophisticated CCTV system has been installed at the DC Jail and design work on the duress alarm system has been completed.  Several X-ray machines have been installed at strategic locations throughout the facility.  Interim security related changes have been made to the staff and visitors’ entrances.  New elevators and escalators as well as the emergency power system have been designed and the projects are in construction at this time.  Design of the reconfiguration of staff and visitors’ entrances project has been completed.

Several other projects were designed to extend the long-term viability of the facility.  These include construction of the armory (a project that has been completed), completion of exterior yard concrete work; the installation of an energy management system; exterior structural renovations that is currently in design; and replacement of cell doors and motors that is to be implemented.

The hard work that we have put into our Capital Improvements Program is beginning to show great dividends.  Environmental conditions at the facility have improved dramatically.  In addition, safety and security have been greatly enhanced. Furthermore, we no longer have the Courts’ indulgence in our day-to-day operations.  My vision is to steward the successful completion of the $40 million work that has been started, which would add 40 years to the useful life of our $200 million dollar facility.  I look forward to working closely with the Council in creating a model detention system in the nation’s capital that is fully accredited by the American Corrections Association.

Thank you again for the opportunity to appear before you today.  We will remain available to answer any questions that you might have.