SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – The effort to build a new jail in Sullivan County takes another step forward.
Monday night, the board of commissioners approved a lease with Indiana Building Corporation. The proposed jail could be located on a recently purchased piece of land at 2357 North Section Street. The 15 acres would house between 180 to 190 inmates, the sheriff’s office and leave room for potential expansion.
The proposed lease is for a term of up to 20 years to finance the project. The estimated cost for the new county jail is 39 million dollars.
The Sullivan County Commissioners President Robert Davis said the present jail is not efficient.
“The layout of the building is very inefficient. We are overcrowded, we are housing prisoners out of the county right now. And we need to do something to keep from being sued in federal court.”
The next step in this process is for the county council to approve the funding, which is expected to happen by next week.
