$13.5 million project designed to alleviate overcrowding . . .
Hamilton County will break ground on an expansion of its current jail at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 10. The first phase of the $13.5 million project will add 120 beds, but some are fearful that may not be enough.
“We’re bursting at the seams,” says Hamilton County Sheriff Mark Bowen. “The jail was built 25 years ago to hold 296 inmates. We’re currently pushing 400 inmates. I would expect that situation to get worse before it gets better.”
A change in state law back in 2016 added to the County’s woes. House Bill 1006 requires lower-level felons to serve their terms in county jails rather than state prisons.
“We’ve tried everything,” County Commissioner Steve Dillinger admits. “We even moved the female inmates from the jail pod to the Juvenile Facility. That’s what has allowed us to get by up until now, but we’ve run out of options and need to make more room.”
The initial phase of the jail expansion will feature 11 cell pods with 84 prefabricated steel cells consisting of two- and four-man cells. The expansion will also include an interior recreation area, classroom and medical support area. A second phase of the project could add an additional 136 beds. County Commissioners are hopeful that part of the expansion can still be completed this year, but are waiting for additional funds.
“Public safety is a top priority, so we want to be sure we do this right,” says Mark Heirbrandt, president of the County Commissioners. “It would make great sense to knock both these projects out at the same time if we can.”
Construction should be complete in April 2019.