Queueing Models of Community Correctional Centers in the District of Columbia

This paper describes the use of GI/M/c and heavy-traffic GI/G/c queues for modeling the utilization of community correctional centers or halfway houses in the District of Columbia. These models arise by considering each bed of a total of c in a facility as, a service channel providing random amounts of service to a constant stream of arrivals. The results have been used to provide decision-makers with means to evaluate facility use. The ultimate strategies are to be based on a subjectively chosen “optimal” balance between customer waiting time to get into the center and relative traffic intensity.