By GARETT VALCOURT
Originally constructed in 2001 with a capacity for 125 inmates, the Holmes County Jail is currently housing as many as 180 individuals, prompting county officials to prioritize an expansion of the facility.
In March, Holmes County commissioners met with state legislators to request an initial $500,000 in funding to begin the design and engineering phase of a proposed new wing. Sheriff John Tate said the expansion aims to add 64 additional beds and would also enhance the jail’s existing faith-based drug rehabilitation and recovery programs.
Sheriff Tate explained that the project will likely unfold in phases, beginning with design work, which would consume the initial funding if approved in the state’s budget. “The first phase would be design and engineering,” Tate said. “That would probably eat up the first little bit of the money. Then we would wait until next year to request more for the construction phase.”
The full expansion is expected to cost between $2 million and $3 million, and local officials anticipate that the county will need to explore additional funding avenues beyond state support. Final word on the initial funding request is pending the passage of the state budget.
If the phased funding approach moves forward, Sheriff Tate estimates that construction and completion of the new jail wing could take three to four years.
Staff Report 