Area Jails Receive State Grants To Improve Facilities

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(Columbus) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Director Annette Chambers-Smith announced today that the state is awarding six local jails with millions in funding to rebuild or expand their facilities.

A total of $50 million was allocated to support local jail renovations in Senate Bill 310 which was passed by the Ohio General Assembly and signed by Governor DeWine in December 2020. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s (ODRC) Bureau of Adult Detention administered the application process and selected jails based on those with the greatest need for construction and renovation work to improve conditions and operations. The ability of each jail to serve neighboring jurisdictions was also considered.

The following counties are receiving grants to assist in building new jails due to the age and condition of their current county jail facilities:

Coshocton County – $10.1 million
Gallia County – $5.5 million
Harrison County – $9.1 million
Lawrence County – $16.8 million

“Upgrading these jails is about more than just safety, it’s also about providing an environment that can influence positive change,” said Governor DeWine. “These jails have fallen into such disrepair because the counties simply couldn’t afford the cost to rebuild on their own. With this help from the state, the improved county jails will better meet the demands of our modern criminal justice system and better address inmates’ underlying issues that may be causing criminal behavior, such as mental health or substance use concerns.”

Two multi-county jails are receiving funding to expand their facilities to better serve neighboring counties: