Warren County Board of Supervisors moves forward with new jail

The Warren County Board of Supervisors officially approved and authorized Board President Kelle Barfield to sign a short-term note for $6.7 million to fund initial costs related to jail design and construction. Board Attorney Blake Teller presented multiple bids for consideration. After that, the board selected River Hills Bank, who offered the best rate.

According to Barfield, portions of the current jail were completed in 1907, putting it well over a century old. As far as updates to the structure, the building has not undergone any major renovations in decades.

Besides the integrity and capabilities of the jail, there is the issue of capacity. The current Warren County jail was designed vertically on a spot of land near the courthouse with little room for expansion. The new project, however, is set to follow more modern jail design precedents which call for horizontal building. This design choice relies heavily on best practices for contemporary correction facilities. Furthermore, the land chosen on Highway 80 for the new jail is ideal for horizontal construction with plenty of space for construction.

When asked in an interview when the public can expect more details on the design of the new jail, Barfield stated, “Initial designs will be made in the coming months, then adjustments made based on necessary features and costs.”