Sheriff explains to Kiwanis why new jail is needed

• Hove

Sheriff Nancy Hove explains to Prescott Kiwanis members Thursday the need for a new Pierce County Jail. -- Photo by Jason Schulte

Talk about it

PRESCOTT--It has long been discussed within the confines of the Pierce County Courthouse, but for one of the first times Thursday, the case for a new jail was taken public.

Sheriff Nancy Hove addressed the Prescott Kiwanis about the need. She explained currently the jail holds 29 beds, but due to new laws and regulations, it’s usually never full. Therefore, the county contracts out with Dunn and Pepin counties for 18 beds each at a rate of $47 per day. In addition, transporting inmates back and forth for court appearances have cost in years around $500,000.

She referenced a study done earlier that summer which presented the county with four options:

Option 1 – An 106,000-square foot Justice Center, housing a 110-bed jail, two courtrooms, the sheriff’s office and shared space. Total cost for the new center along with remodeling the current jail and sheriff spaces -- $38,596,090.

Option 2 – A new Justice Center with no remodeling of existing building -- $35,250,163

Option 3 – A Law Enforcement Center with no courts or remodeling -- $27,728,564.

Option 4 – Remodeling the current jail and adding 78 beds -- $13,022,155.

For more please read the Sept. 12 print version of the Herald.

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