#Research
Researcher Lead
Team
NAC Architecture, Gehry Partners
Scope
Pre-master plan phase
Timeline
8 months
Client
LA County
Los Angeles County has a historic opportunity to make the Board of Supervisor’s “Care First, Jail Last” vision a reality and to take concrete steps to reduce racial, economic, and health disparities. In closing Men’s Central Jail (MCJ) and exploring community-based alternatives to incarceration (ATI), the County can make our communities safer and healthier. The Restorative Justice Village Master Plan is about creating a decentralized network of community-based holistic care facilities and infrastructure, comprehensively planned with community and County stakeholders, to address the “care” envisioned in the County’s endeavor.
Highlights
Extensive Research & Interviews – Engaged with formerly incarcerated individuals and nonprofits.
Data & GIS Analysis – Used spatial data and analytics to inform solutions.
Community-Driven Alternatives – Explored ways to replace incarceration with restorative solutions.
Large-Scale Collaboration – Worked with a diverse, multidisciplinary team on a major initiative.
High Impact – Contributed to policy discussions and community support efforts.
The Background
Where we started…
Many of the people incarcerated in the LA County jails do not fundamentally belong there. The majority have mental health needs, substance abuse dependence, face financial hardships, and experience homelessness– propelling their entanglement in the criminal justice system resulting in their arrest and incarceration.
What was the goal?
The goal of Restorative Village Master Plan is to offer vulnerable individuals wraparound services and support in lieu of jail time that promotes healing and family reunification, reintegrates them back into their communities, and diverts them from future justice involvement altogether.
The Research
For those who have committed serious offenses, they too require humane treatment, while in custody, if unable to find appropriate placements in the community, and as they prepare to re-enter society. To release these individuals onto the street, often in the middle of the night, without support, without care, is inhumane and leaves them with few choices except to return to the behaviors and life that led them to chronic homelessness or incarceration. They will likely require additional services and support to rehabilitate successfully. Upon their release, they and their loved ones will benefit from the supportive services the Master Plan will offer. The Restorative Care Village Master Plan leverages community voices, particularly those who are and have been incarcerated, as well as those communities in which the Master Plan will affect to construct a responsive and rehabilitative environment that meets the needs of vulnerable Angelenos with equity, dignity, humanity, and grace.
Data & GIS Analysis
Program analysis
Design
The Master Plan is a stepping-stone to encourage system-impacted individuals to reconnect with their families and rejoin their communities – to return home; and those experiencing homelessness or who are houseless to find a safe and supportive space to call their own. Hailing from all over LA County, these individuals need support not only within the immediate vicinity of the jails, but also within their home communities. They need support to establish stability in their lives and circumvent their involvement in the legal system and cycle of homelessness now and into the future.
Reflection
This project was not just about research—it was about advocacy, collaboration, and impact. Working alongside a diverse team on a large-scale initiative reinforced my belief in community-driven design as a powerful tool for change. The experience strengthened my ability to lead research, synthesize complex information, and contribute to meaningful social solutions.