News
Southeast Ohio is receiving more than $25 million for local jail projects
By: WOUB News Team
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The state is awarding $50 million to rebuild or expand local jails, and more than half of that is coming to southeast Ohio.
The funding was announced Friday by Gov. Mike DeWine and Annette Chambers-Smith, director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
Here are the allocations, as detailed in a news release:
The Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail in Nelsonville, which serves five counties, will receive $1.9 million for an expansion project that will convert a portion of the jail into additional housing. The project will also upgrade the jail’s programming space and increase specialty housing for mental health purposes.
Scioto County will receive $1.5 million for the creation of a new minimum-security jail for women. The project will convert an existing building into a female-only facility that will be developed with an emphasis on behavioral and substance abuse programming in partnership with local social service providers.
Gallia County will receive $5.5 million for its ongoing construction of a new jail. The existing jail is 57 years old and is in the basement of the Gallia County Annex. It has a recommended capacity of 11 but exceeds this on a regular basis. The new jail is designed to house 120 inmates and will provide increased recreation and programming space. Surplus beds will be made available to other counties.
Lawrence County will receive $16.8 million to build a new jail. The existing jail is 48 years old with a recommended capacity of 27 that it regularly exceeds. The new jail is designed for 200 inmates and will include increased classroom space and counseling areas.
“Upgrading these jails is about more than just safety, it’s also about providing an environment that can influence positive change,” DeWine said. “With this help from the state, the improved county jails will better meet the demands of our modern criminal justice system and better address inmates’ underlying issues that may be causing criminal behavior, such as mental health or substance use concerns.”
The funds were appropriated through Senate Bill 310, which was signed by the governor in December.