On this very special episode, Torrey connects with industry stalwart Tony Turpin, SVP at CGL – an organization whose fascinating 50+ year journey involves constantly adapting its model to stay ahead in the justice sector. Tony, a former warden, boasts decades of invaluable firsthand experience that exemplifies the building of trust through genuine partnership. Today, he and Torrey dive into critical topics facing correctional leaders: evolving facility needs, the trend towards mega projects, and why smart planning and maintenance are non negotiable. It’s a grounded look at corrections’ past and potential future.

Tony explains how deep operational understanding underpins CGL’s approach, noting that relationships are key. He discusses CGL’s crucial work, from facility upkeep extending lifecycles and managing costs, to planning complex new builds or renovations despite soaring prices. Staffing emerges as a huge piece, demanding smarter facility location and design. The conversation also covers integrating vital healthcare and mental health support, plus how emerging technology might reshape operations – ultimately highlighting how blending seasoned experience with forward thinking is essential to building a more effective correctional future.

Episode Highlights:

• Building trust through decades of frontline experience
• CGL’s 50 years adapting services to justice sector shifts
• Addressing mega facilities, rising costs, and new strategies
• Solving the correctional staffing crisis with strategic location
• Vital proactive maintenance for facility longevity and budgets
• Designing facilities for diverse healthcare and population needs
• Exploring emerging tech’s potential and uncertainty in corrections
• Navigating the future through continuous learning and curiosity

Key Takeaways:

“Establishing and maintaining a relationship is paramount; this is fundamentally a relationship business.”

“Dealing with services is more intrinsic; it’s something built on trust.”

“It’s critical for the routine to be routine: when hot water is needed, it must be there; when commodes need flushing, it must happen.”

“A building uptick similar to the 90s seems likely, but it’s crucial to remember, this is not the 90s.”

“Facility costs have truly soared, leading to calls for mega jails or prisons costing billions—a scary number.”

“Finding people willing to work in prisons is probably one of the key issues facing corrections today.”

“You have to take a scientific look at populations and density to strategically locate facilities; the days of building in the middle of nowhere are done.”

“Jails and prisons became the de facto hospitals for mentally ill people, which is extremely expensive.”

“If you’re a stagnant company, you’ll go the way of many others that couldn’t survive.”

Links:

Correctional News: https://correctionalnews.com/

Tony Turpin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-turpin/

CGL Companies: https://cglcompanies.com/