One of the critical needs following a major natural disaster is the re-establishment of the “rule of law.” In order to accomplish this, there must be a solution to replace damaged courts, police facilities, and correctional centers. In the weeks, months, and years following Hurricane Katrina, for example, restoring effective and secure criminal justice and prison operations in Louisiana was a key focus in the state’s recovery.

Around the world, in post-disaster and post-conflict situations, the need for suitable, humane prison facilities is often even more dire than what we faced in Louisiana. The lack of operable facilities for incarceration further de-stabilizes countries already engaged in disaster recovery. For that reason, the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UNDPKO) recently turned to the International Corrections and Prison Association (ICPA) to request assistance in developing a concept for a Rapid Deployment Prison—a facility that could be operable within 90 days.

I have been honored to assist the pro bono team of designers and construction professionals working on this concept, along with three Dewberry colleagues: Mike Thompson, who recently traveled to Haiti on the project; Chris Frye; and Jim Matarelli. The team also includes representatives from industry leaders including CGL, AECOM, and Hale-Mill Construction, Ltd.

Working closely with representatives from the UN, we’ve created a concept that uses cargo containers as the basic facility component. The containers can be arranged and customized to accommodate a variety of program needs, including housing, food preparation, training, and administration. The containers can also be stacked vertically to form an energy core, with water harvesting and solar devices, helping to create a self-sustaining prison complex.

As I’ve traveled recently to present the concept in New York, Belgium, and Mexico City—with a trip to Singapore coming up in September—I’ve been impressed with the vision that the UN has for helping nations restore order with this concept. The world is their geography, and I’ve come to realize how many bright, dedicated people the UN has working around the globe, in many different roles. Still, it’s clear that UN resources are limited, and the goals for efficiency and cost minimization for the Rapid Deployment Prison concept have been clear. These officials understand the time and cost constraints that many nations face, and the urgency of this need. I believe the Rapid Deployment Prison concept is extremely promising, and hope to see it implemented in Haiti and elsewhere in the near future.