New Women’s Community Correctional Center Designed by CGL Opened in September

December 31, 2024

Hunt affiliate, CGL Companies (CGL), joined state officials in September for the grand opening of the expanded Women’s Community Correctional Center (WCCC) — the only women’s prison in Hawai‘i.

The opening of the $63 million project, the largest capital improvement project of the Hawai‘i Department of Public Safety and first public safety project in the state in some three decades, allows the gradual transfer of all women from O‘ahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) to WCCC, as well as providing more programming specific to women. The expansion of WCCC was viewed as a critical first step in easing longstanding overcrowding at OCCC. Prior to the expansion, WCCC had only 276 beds.

CGL planned and designed the WCCC expansion to create 176 more beds in a single housing unit, update the aging infrastructure and develop a new intake, visitation and administrative center, as well as replace a dilapidated administrative building. The expansion added over 56,000 square feet within three buildings to the Kailua facility.

“We firmly believe that our surroundings have a powerful effect on our well-being, and this expansion will offer a significantly more uplifting and supportive experience for the women residing at WCCC,” shared Ken McGinnis, CGL Senior Vice President. “I am passionate about this project because it allows us to create a much-needed space for the incarcerated women. The prior facilities were overcrowded, outdated and, honestly, quite disheartening. Now, these women have a brand-new visitation area designed to strengthen bonds and nurture a more positive environment.”

The Hawai‘i project team included Bowers + Kubota Consulting, CGL’s partner architect; Hae-Dong “HD” Lee, Principal, has assisted CGL since the project’s earliest days. Other local partners included construction manager RLB.

For more information, visit cglcompanies.com.