The Challenge

Goucher College required secure, functional classroom space for its Goucher Prison Education Partnership (GPEP) within a Maryland state correctional facility. The project needed to accommodate adult education for inmates in open classroom modulars, with capacity for up to 20 students per unit. Given the prison environment, strict security protocols had to be followed, including stainless steel mirrors in bathrooms instead of glass, locking access panels on skirting, and restricted site access requiring extensive background checks for workers. Additionally, there were electrical requirements for ceiling-mounted projectors, 20 and 30 amp circuits, and data receptacles for IT systems and security cameras. Goucher also needed the project completed quickly and within budget while adhering to the safety and construction regulations specific to state prison grounds.

The Solution

Modular Genius designed and delivered secure, relocatable modular classrooms tailored to meet both educational and correctional facility standards. The buildings were constructed with T-grid ceilings, carpet tile flooring, and whiteboards with integrated tack boards. Specialized detention-grade features included single-hung vinyl low-E windows, stainless steel mirrors, and fire extinguishers enclosed in plexiglass for tamper resistance. Each building included a restroom, storage room, and an IT closet. The modular units were built offsite to reduce construction time, a major advantage given the logistical restrictions on the prison site. Once complete, the buildings were installed on a grass plot adjacent to the main facility, with tie-downs, smart panel siding, gutters, downspouts, and cantilevered aluminum canopies for all entry points. Electrical and data connections were pre-installed for projectors and surveillance systems.