Buchanan County Jail Committee

Recommendation

On July 31, we recommended to the Board of Supervisors that a new jail and law enforcement facility was the best long term solution for the county. Based upon our evaluations, we feel that the facility should be located to the south of the current courthouse. Also, a connecting walkway should be built to connect the new building to the courthouse for the transfer of inmates to the court room. Accommodations should also be made for the Sheriffs department to have office and operations space for the most efficient overall operation.

Based on the initial costs, operational costs and long term support expense, this option does the best job balancing all the requirements of function, operations, and aesthetics. On the surface, with this option it may appear that more work is being done than needed to correct the jails deficiencies; however, if we address the inability to separate inmates as required, additional space is needed to maintain the current number of inmates. Plus, if any remodeling is done, the jail is required to be brought up to current standards. If only repairs are performed, we will be required to house inmates at other counties to achieve the required separation. We believe that if no action takes place that at a minimum, based on work with the state jail inspector, our current qualification will be changed so fewer inmates may be housed, additional inmates will be housed out of county for separation, and that ultimately the facility will be shut down.

We also recommend that the additional parking be master-planned to better accommodate the needs of the courthouse and its public users. Additionally, an evaluation of all the county owned facilities should take place and a plan developed for their maintenance and utilization.

Possible uses of the third floor of the Courthouse after the jail moves is secured storage, additional room for support staff and IT infrastructure. Buchanan County Economic Development has also been approached by an interested party about acquiring the County Home building site.

 

Below are proposed design details of the recommended new facility

View from the South West 

View from the South East 

View of the Overall Site Plan

View of the Ground Floor Layout

View of the First Floor Layout

Crosssection View of the Jail Showing the

Control Point Ability to Monitor the Cells on Both Floors

View of the Mezzanine Floor Layout

View of the Lower Roof Plan

View of the Over All Roof Plan

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