New Regional Jail Planned In Virginia
The new regional jail to serve Amherst, Appomattox and a portion of Bedford counties in Virginia took what could be its final step toward construction last week. The Amherst County Planning Commission approved a site plan for the jail in Madison Heights. Construction on the 380-bed facility … is scheduled to begin by the end of the year. Report from New Era Progress.com.
The Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority will operate the single-story jail, which was made necessary by overcrowded facilities in all three jurisdictions. The current Amherst jail, for example, opened in 1994 with a capacity for 50 inmates. In recent years, it has routinely housed between 80 and 95 inmates. However, the biggest advantage of becoming part of the regional jail system is that the state will pay for half of the estimated $50 million cost. The other half will be apportioned among the three localities …
The March escape of an inmate from the Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Lynchburg sharpened the focus on safety for Madison Heights residents. Regional jail officials met with residents to assure them that the new jail would have safeguards in place that would prevent a similar escape …
Construction is expected to be completed in 2011.
The full article gives more details and background.
Uncategorized