The current Justice/Detention Facilities Design Handbook, Space Criteria, and Space Templates were last updated in 2011 and can be accessed at: https://www.bia.gov/as-ia/ofpsm/dfmc/info. Since that time, detention operations, building technologies, Tribal justice system needs, and national safety and regulatory requirements have continued to evolve. Modernizing these documents is not a routine update, but a key step in strengthening how IA supports safe, secure, and operationally effective correctional facilities serving Tribal communities.
What are these Tribal Listening Sessions for?
Indian Affairs values Tribal perspectives in shaping the updated design guidance for correctional facilities serving Tribal communities. You have essential knowledge of community needs, operational realities, cultural considerations, and long-term priorities for your justice systems. Your input will directly inform the updated Design Handbook, Space Criteria, and Space Templates to ensure they reflect modern standards while remaining responsive to the needs of Tribal communities.
What We Are Evaluating
As we update the existing guidance, IA is reviewing opportunities to:
- Support more adaptable and efficient facility layouts for Tribal justice systems requirements;
- Strengthen alignment with applicable national standards, safety codes, and regulatory requirements;
- Improve clarity and usability ofdesign guidance; and
- Provide flexibility without compromising safety, security, or compliance.
Our objective is to help ensure Tribal detention centers are safe, code compliant, and operationally efficient while meeting the diverse needs of Tribal justice systems.
Key Questions for Listening Sessions:
To help guide the modernization effort, we ask for your insight on the following refined questions:
- What facility functions or spaces would benefit from greater adaptability to support Tribal operational needs, programmatic priorities, or changes in population or services?
- What trends, challenges, or developments in your community or justice system should IA consider when updating correctional facility design guidance?
- What are the most important factors for ensuring that correctional facilities serving Tribal communities remain safe, secure, and operationally effective?
- Are there specific areas where current design guidance does not fully support Tribal needs or where clarification or improvement would be helpful?
Invitation
Sessions
Comment Deadline
Written comments may be submitted to consultation@bia.gov by August 21, 2026.
