Warren County Jail improvements have consumed $3.8 million of the $6.5 million borrowed for jail expansion.
According to Finance Department director Justin Cotton, $2.7 million remains of the $6.5 million in bond money borrowed for jail improvements. Those numbers were presented to members of the county Budget and Finance Committee when it met to consider going out for bids on a project estimated at $510,000 to be paid from what remains of the bond money.
Those funds would be used to construct a 1,900-square-foot storage building to free up space inside the jail for offering programs, counseling, and attorney-client visits.
“We have to have this to get programs in place to reduce recidivism at the jail,” said Warren County Sherriff’s Major Jason Walker. “If we don’t have space for programs, we can’t reduce recidivism. If we can’t reduce recidivism, we will have to consider expanding the jail.”
The GED program was given as an example as to why space is needed.
“If we had program space, we could have a GED class five days a week,” said Walker. “Someone who’s in there for 45 days could complete the GED program before being released.”
Upland Design provided a breakdown of the $510,000:
• Actual 1,900-square-foot addition: $380,000
• Renovating existing file room into program space: $40,000
• Staff toilet in booking area: $13,000
• Climb-deterrent mesh: $16,000
• Council office: $8,000
• Storage closet created where vending machines are located: $8,000
• Construction contingency fund: $45,000
Commissioner Scott Rubley says he’s received complaints from the public about the amount of money being spent at the jail.
Said Rubley, “Constituents are telling me, ‘I don’t want another penny spent at the jail because we need to be spending it on our kids. If we are going to spend it on capital projects, spend it at the schools.’ They don’t understand the importance of reducing recidivism.”
Budget and Finance Committee members unanimously approved going out for bids on the expansion project/ interior renovation for program space. Once bids are received, actual cost will be known and approval from the full Warren County Commission sought.
