Jackson Co. supervisors get snapshot of new jail - WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi

Jackson Co. supervisors get snapshot of new multi-million dollar jail

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JACKSON COUNTY, MS (WLOX) -

We now know the latest details on how taxpayer dollars will be spent in order to replace the aging and often overcrowded Jackson County jail. The county is paying a Missouri architectural firm $1.9 million for the design work. Monday, supervisors got a snapshot of the new two-story jail being designed. 

"We are going to have an outstanding jail for the people of Jackson County at the cost we said it was going to come in. It going to be right at $30 million or $30.7 million," McKay said. 

Every day sheriff's department officials said problems at the current old jail reinforce why a new one is needed soon. 

"Just last week we had an, I wouldn't call it a rape issue at the jail, but we had an assault. It is causing us some problems, and we don't have a place to put that young person. With this facility, you got multiple options to deal with that same scenario," Deputy Chief Ken Broadus said. 

Monday, Goldberg Group presented the best design for to provide safety and security for inmates and deputes. 

"It is a radio podular design that we helped pioneer 25 year ago, and it is like the spokes of a wheel," Lawrence Goldberg said. "The idea is that a jail officer is stationed in one place where he or she has complete visual control on almost 360 degrees around them."  

The jail cells will also be steel lockdown units to make it difficult for inmates to breakout.  Goldberg said the design is also flexible to avoid overcrowding and spending millions more to expand.

"The base is 708 beds. Then we have a couple of empty pods or shells where the utilities are roughed in, and we can add cells and give the county incremental expansion. In other words, 10 beds here, 20 beds there and that is all within the existing building," Goldberg said.  

Goldberg is expected to return next month with foundation plans and updated budget projection. 

The county's financing team also had some good news for supervisors Monday. Because of a lower interest rate, the county's payments will be slightly lower than was first anticipated.  

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