Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center: Engineering in a Secure Environment

Approximately 70 miles northwest of Madison, the Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center (SRSTC) resembles a maximum-security prison, featuring double fences topped with razor wire and an electrified inner layer.

More than 300 men reside there for treatment purposes rather than as a continuation of criminal sentencing. 525+ people work there. And Kapur recently replaced asphalt and upgraded stormwater infrastructure there.

What’s it like performing engineering services in such a secure location? We asked Matt Wiswell, PE, who spearheaded Kapur’s efforts on this project, how he and his team navigated these and other complexities.

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How did the Kapur staff prepare to work within the secure perimeter of the correctional facility?

First, anyone who needs to be within the secured perimeter of the correctional facility needs to have a background check completed to be cleared for entry, which usually takes a couple of days. Once cleared, advance notice needs to be provided for any needed entry to review the project site, as an escort needs to be assigned to the person/group full-time while inside for the safety of those within the secured facility.

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What challenges did the secure environment present, and how were they addressed?

Overall, there weren’t many challenges besides needing to do advanced planning. Since the escort needed to be assigned, which is typically provided through a temp agency, the manager and SRSTC needed to make sure there was an escort available for the day and time that we planned to be at the site. During construction, a full-time escort was assigned to the contractor, so it was less of an issue then.

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How did the Kapur staff coordinate daily access and movement within the secure site?

Kapur only had to be onsite within the secure facility several times during design, so access was not an issue. Much of the work Kapur completed also occurred outside of the secure portion of the facility, which did not require advance coordination. The staff at SRSTC were very cooperative and easy to work with in being granted access.

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What modifications were made to our typical workflows to meet correctional facility protocols?

Overall, the biggest modification was to just plan for a little additional time to allow for the required checks. To enter any secure facility, whether SRSTC or correctional institutions that we also complete work for, each person entering the facility needs to go through metal detectors. In some facilities, cell phones are also required to be checked in before entering the facility.

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How did you ensure your team remained productive given the added time and steps required for facility access? How did you maintain project momentum when unexpected security events caused work stoppages?

Other than the added time to coordinate access and get cleared to enter the facility, the team remained productive. The worst part was probably for the escort, as they had to watch us walk around, take measurements, and collect data for design purposes. There were instances where we had to wait to move from one area to another while patients had to be removed. Overall, the guards were great and very accommodating. The key to the whole process was patience, given the security risks involved. Another factor was being aware of the surroundings. Much of what we do in the field is documenting via measurements and pictures. Given the setting, no individuals can be in any of the photos, so there was a lot of shuffling and adjusting to accommodate this circumstance, as patients often peered from windows or secured areas.

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What’s been the biggest challenge in leading a project in this environment?

The biggest challenge is to plan ahead and ensure that clearance checks are completed early in the project design for anyone who may need access to the facility.

This project highlights Kapur’s ability to navigate complex, high-security environments with precision and professionalism. From coordinating access to working around strict protocols, our teams deliver critical infrastructure upgrades without compromising safety or efficiency. It’s perfect example of how Kapur thrives when projects require more than just standard solutions.