Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Sept. 21.

Let's get started with project updates:

• Officials in Portage County, Wis., broke ground last week on a new $160 million jail and law enforcement center, with completion expected by mid-2028.
• A groundbreaking ceremony was held last week for a new $55 million jail in Finney County, Kan.
• Construction of Muskingum County's new jail in Zanesville, Ohio, is three-quarters complete and on track for an August 2027 completion.
• Officials in DeKalb County, Tenn., are weighing how to proceed with a planned 182-bed jail project after estimates exceeded its original $35 million budget.
• Construction is progressing on Colbert County, Ala.'s new $35 million, 260-bed jail and administration building.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

• The Idaho Department of Correction will request $45.3 million in funding from state legislators to furnish, staff, and operate three new facilities offering nearly 1,000 beds.
• The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is requesting $298 million to add more than 15,700 air-conditioned prison beds over two years.
• Commissioners in Travis County, Texas approved $127.5 million in funding toward crisis and recovery care services, including $54 million in new mental health investments.

Next, in people and company news:

• Real-time location system provider Actall Corporation has appointed Barry Prestage as Business Development Director.
• Katherine Lucero will step down as director of California's Office of Youth and Community Restoration after being appointed to the Yolo County Superior Court.
• Wold Architects and Engineers has acquired Minnesota-based Klein McCarthy Architects.

Now for this week's construction reports:

• Summit County, Utah, has issued an RFP to architectural and engineering firms for improvements to the Summit County Jail, with proposals due Oct. 5.
• The Kentucky Court of Justice is seeking proposals from architecture and engineering firms for design services on the Farmer Helton Judicial Center renovation project, with submittals due Oct. 15.

And finishing up with events:

• The Correctional Leaders Association's Deputy Directors and Probation and Parole Conference will take place Sept. 29 through Oct. 2 in Palm Springs, Calif.

For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Sept. 14.

Let's get started with project updates:

• Dallas officials broke ground earlier this month on a $227 million law enforcement training center on the University of North Texas at Dallas's campus.
• The Michigan Department of Corrections announced plans to add 870 high-security beds through new construction and facility conversions under its Safe Prisons initiative.
• Los Angeles County broke ground on the new Warm Landing Place, the county's first dedicated post-release navigation center for people leaving incarceration.
• The city of Lone Tree, Colo., opened a new 37,000-square-foot Justice Center designed to accommodate the city's continued growth.
• Officials in Washington County, Pa., broke ground on a new $41 million, 3-story public safety building last week.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

• Kentucky officials enacted an emergency regulation last month clarifying responsibility for medical costs involving state inmates housed in county jails.
• Maricopa County, Ariz., received a 3-year, $1.5 million federal grant to expand workforce development services for incarcerated and recently released veterans.

Next, in people news:

• Maine Department of Corrections Commissioner Randall Liberty announced that he will retire Oct. 1 after more than four decades in corrections.
• Leo Technologies has named Chase Hallman Vice President of Products.

Now for this week's construction reports:

• Grand Traverse County, Mich., is seeking an independent consultant to perform pre-architectural jail and justice system planning, with submittals due Sept. 18.
• Caldwell County, Texas has issued an RFQ to provide master development services for multiple county facilities, with submittals due Oct. 1.
• Madison County, N.C., is requesting qualifications from design firms for the Madison County Public Safety Center, with bids due Oct. 8.

And finishing up with events:

• The American College of Correctional Physicians’ 2026 Annual Education Conference will be held in Dallas from Sept. 18–20.
• The Correctional Leaders Association's Deputy Directors and Probation and Parole Conference will take place in Palm Springs, Calif., from Sept. 29 through Oct. 2.

For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Sept. 7.

Let's get started with project updates:

• Officials in Tazewell County, Ill., marked the topping out of the county's new 87,000-square-foot, $43.5 million Justice Center Annex in downtown Pekin, designed by Wold Architects and Engineers and built by P.J. Hoerr.
• Major construction is complete on a new $17.9 million, 19,600-square-foot law enforcement center in Page County, Iowa, which includes a podular-design jail with 38 general population beds and five special needs cells.
• The Howell County Commission in Missouri has selected Elevatus Architecture to conduct a needs assessment and provide design services for a potential new law enforcement or justice center.
• Demolition of the former administration wing of the Benton County Juvenile Justice Center in Washington began last week, kicking off the next phase of a $21 million renovation that will replace outdated housing with 16-bed pods and outdoor courtyards.

Up next in legislation and funding:

• A draft bipartisan plan would authorize $628.7 million in bonds to overhaul seven Wisconsin correctional facilities, closing Green Bay Correctional Institution no earlier than 2031 and rebuilding Waupun Correctional Institution for $258.45 million.
• Commissioners in Mecklenburg County, N.C., unanimously approved $3.2 million to begin reopening the county's north jail, closed four years ago amid staffing shortages, to relieve overcrowding at the main jail in Charlotte.
• Kent County, Mich., Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young is seeking voter approval in November for a 20-year jail millage renewal and increase at a 0.98-mill rate to modernize medical and mental health services at the county jail.

Moving on to people news:

• The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office in California has named Jeremiah Mayes its new correctional captain, after nearly two decades with the office and numerous custody division leadership roles.

And now for construction reports:

• Rowan County, N.C., has issued an RFQ for a feasibility study and architectural services to determine whether to expand, renovate or replace the county sheriff's office facility, with submittals due Sept. 17.
• The town of Argyle, Texas, has issued an RFP to construction manager at-risk firms for an estimated $6.5 million law enforcement center, with FGM Architects as project architect and proposals due Sept. 22.
• Fauquier County, Va., has issued an RFP to architectural and engineering firms for a new 61,500-square-foot courthouse with five courtrooms at the Fauquier County Judicial Center, with proposals due Sept. 28.

And finishing up with events:

• From Sept. 8–11, the Correctional Leaders Association's Northeast Region Meeting will take place in Bar Harbor, Maine.
• The American College of Correctional Physicians' 2026 Annual Education Conference will be held Sept. 18–20 in Dallas, with a theme of "Hard Time, Smart Medicine."

For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Aug. 31.

Let's get started with project updates:

• Supervisors in Santa Clara County, Calif., unanimously approved a roughly $1 billion plan to modernize the main jail in San Jose and the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas.
• A new $21 million, 60-bed behavioral health unit opened last week at the Shawnee County Jail in Topeka, Kan., featuring 3 specialized treatment pathways.
• Officials in Amador County, Calif., held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week for a new $28 million expansion at the Amador County Jail.
• Officials with the Candler County Sheriff's Office in Georgia held an open house this week at its new $12 million jail facility, which replaces its aging facility.
• Dixon County, Neb., is moving into the design phase for its new $12.5 million courthouse project, which will replace the county's 140-year-old facility.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

• The Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority approved borrowing up to $195 million for a new 4,000-bed men's prison in Escambia County, raising the project budget to $900 million.
• Milwaukee County, Wis.'s Capital Improvements Committee unanimously advanced an $896 million plan to build the Investing in Justice Courthouse complex, a new criminal courthouse.

Next in people news:

• Correctional healthcare provider Armor Health has named Tamara Taylor as the company’s first Regional Vice President of Client Relations.
• The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction promoted John “Jay” Craft to judicial district manager for District 8.

Now for this week's construction reports:

• The Oregon Youth Authority is seeking bids for renovation and expansion of the infirmary at the McLaren Youth Correctional Facility, with bids due Sept. 3.
• The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget has issued an RFP for renovations at the Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility, with bids due Sept. 16.
• The Borough of Wyomissing, Pa., is requesting proposals for a design-build project to modify its existing Borough Hall and Police Station campus, with proposals due Oct. 1.
• Middlesex County, N.J., is seeking bids for design and consulting services to upgrade security technology at the Middlesex County Superior Courthouse, with proposals due Oct. 6.

And finishing up with events:

• From Sept. 8–11, the Correctional Leaders Association's Northeast Region meeting will take place in Bar Harbor, Maine.

For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Aug. 24.

Let's get started with project updates:

• Cape Girardeau County, Mo., held an open house at its renovated 2001-era jail, capping an expansion and renovation project led by Treanor and Penzel Construction.
• A topping-out ceremony was held at the new $37 million, 108-bed Codington County Jail in Watertown, S.D.
• Grand County, Utah, officials are considering a new public safety complex that could cost between $30.4 million and $33.1 million.
• La Crosse County, Wis., is moving forward with a $10 million renovation of its jail to better accommodate individuals with mental health needs and women inmates.
• Shelby County, Mo., celebrated the opening of a new $7.5 million public safety complex housing the sheriff’s office, 911 communications center and county jail.

Up next in legislation and funding:

• Johnson County, Iowa, is holding information sessions on a proposed $94.5 million bond referendum to fund a new jail and sheriff’s office.
• Hood County, Texas, commissioners authorized $24 million for a law enforcement center and jail expansion project that would add approximately 21,500 square feet and 161 beds.

Moving on to people news:

• Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has selected Valarie Moseley as the next director of the Missouri Department of Corrections, effective Oct. 1 pending Senate confirmation.

And now in construction reports:

• Fulton County, Ga., is soliciting CMAR proposals for the new $750 million Special Purpose Facility project, including an 1,800-bed, 780,000-square-foot detention facility and a separate 480-to-500-bed, 120,000-square-foot Accelerated Housing Component. Bids are due Sept. 25.
• The Alabama Department of Corrections is seeking architectural and engineering services under a $20 million Open-End Agreement for various projects at correctional facilities throughout the state. Bids are due Sept. 25.
• Karnes County, Texas, has issued an RFQ for construction manager at-risk services for an estimated $29 million expansion project at the county’s jail. Bids are due Sept. 7.

And finishing up with events:

• The Correctional Leaders Association’s Northeast Region Meeting will be held in Bar Harbor, Maine, from Sept. 8–11.
• Nominations are open through Sept. 30 for Correctional News’ annual Industry Awards.

For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Aug. 17.

Let's get started with project updates:

• Officials in Deschutes County, Ore., held an opening ceremony last week for the newly completed $47 million Deschutes County Courthouse expansion project.
• The Daviess County, Ky., Fiscal Court has approved a $60.5 million contract with A&K Construction for the renovation and expansion of the Daviess County Detention Center.
• The Whatcom County Council in Washington has approved moving on to the design phase of a new 150,000-to-155,000-square-foot jail, with a $205 million design and construction budget cap.
• Oklahoma City has broken ground on the $12.3 million MAPS 4 Robert Ravitz Crisis Center, which will provide emergency assessment, detoxification, counseling, and stabilization services.
• Officials in DeKalb County, Ind., have unanimously voted to move forward with plans for a new jail costing up to $51.8 million.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

• Commissioners in Bexar County, Texas approved a series of jail reforms that will expand medical screening to identify urgent health, behavioral and withdrawal issues.
• Supervisors in Culpeper County, Va., have postponed a final decision on building a new jail or joining the Central Virginia Regional Jail Authority, opting for further review.
• The Hays County Jail in Texas has announced results of its recently launched jail-based competency restoration program.

Next in people news:

• Renee Ciconte, Director of Delaware's Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services, received the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators' 2026 Outstanding Leadership Award.

And now for this week's construction reports:

• San Joaquin County, Calif., has issued an RFQ to design-build entities for a new Sheriff's Operations Training Center and an Emergency Medical Services facility, with responses due Sept. 4.
• Clay County, Mo., has issued an RFP for a consultant to conduct a feasibility analysis for a new correctional facility for the Clay County Sheriff's Department, with proposals due Sept. 14.

And finishing up with events:

• The Correctional Leaders Association's Northeast Region meeting will be held September 8–11 in Bar Harbor, Maine.
• Correctional News is accepting nominations for its annual Industry Awards, with submissions due Sept. 30.

For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Aug. 10.

Let's get started with project updates:

• Whatcom County, Wash., is reconsidering adding a reentry resource center and second courtroom to its new jail and behavioral care center plans.
• Officials in Elmore County, Ala., broke ground on a $70 million, 480-bed jail in Wetumpka, beginning a three-year replacement of the county's current facility.
• Architecture firm Goodwyn Mills Cawood presented a proposed timeline for a new $100 million courthouse in Madison County, Ala., which could open in 2030.
• Officials in Midland County, Texas are finalizing plans for a new 42,000-square-foot juvenile justice center, a $41 million project expected to break ground in November.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

• The Bond Oversight Board in Oklahoma County, Okla., recommended a Nov. 3 vote on a 0.4% sales tax to fund a new $605 million, 1,800-bed jail.
• Indiana Gov. Mike Braun announced a $5.1 million federal grant to train and support more than 600 people leaving prison through the "Keys to Work" initiative.
• Vermont Gov. Phil Scott's administration is seeking to pause the "Raise the Age" law, which moves nonviolent cases involving 18- to 21-year-olds into family court, due to shortages in treatment and housing.

Next, in people news:

• DLR Group appointed Leslie Jacques as business development leader for its California Justice+Civic practice.
• Cornerstone Detention Products appointed Scott A. Edgecombe as president, a newly created role overseeing daily operations and expansion.

Now for this week's construction reports:

• Swinerton Builders, on behalf of the City of Dallas, Texas, is seeking bids for the new $150 million Dallas Police Regional Training Academy, with bids due Aug. 20.
• Montgomery County, Texas has issued an RFQ to architectural firms for the design and construction of a new county jail, with responses due Aug. 26.
• The State of Minnesota has issued an RFP for architectural firms to provide pre-design services for the expansion of the Faribault Correctional Facility campus, with proposals due Aug. 31.

And finishing up with events:

• The American Probation and Parole Association's 51st Annual Training Institute will take place in Chicago from Aug. 16–19.
• The Correctional Leaders Association's Northeast Region meeting will be held in Bar Harbor, Maine, from Sept. 8–11.
• The newest episode of Correctional News' Corrections Connections docuseries, featuring the San Diego County Sheriff's Office's MAT unit, is now live.

For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Aug. 3.

Let's get started with project updates:

• Columbus, Ohio Mayor Andrew Ginther announced that the city has canceled plans for a new Franklin County Municipal Court building, opting instead to renovate the existing courthouse.
• Macon-Bibb County, Ga., has broken ground on the second phase of a $28.5 million to $31 million expansion and renovation of its law enforcement center.
• Leaders in Cleveland County, N.C., toured the county's new $210 million Justice Center in Shelby, which is currently about 80% complete.
• Anderson County, S.C.’s $83 million detention center is nearing completion and is expected to open by the end of the year.
• Commissioners in Washington County, Pa., have approved $41.2 million in contracts to construct a new 70,000-square-foot public safety building.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

• The Daviess County, Ky., Fiscal Court advanced an ordinance authorizing up to $60 million in bonds for a long-planned Detention Center renovation and expansion.
• Los Angeles County supervisors voted to place a charter amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot that would restore Measure J funding for jail diversion programs.
• The Houghton County, Mich., Jail Committee recommended a $28 million, 30-year bond to build a new justice center.
• Voters in Hutto, Texas, will decide on Nov. 3 whether to fund a roughly $42 million justice center project.

Next, in people news:

• The Correctional Leaders Association (CLA) has announced its newly elected executive board, including President Lindsay Wallace (Arkansas), Vice President Bobby Lumpkin (Texas), and Treasurer Dr. Laurel Harry (Pennsylvania).
• Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro honored SCI Waymart Facility Maintenance Manager Tim Schweinsburg with a Governor's Award for Excellence for leading significant infrastructure improvements.

Now for this week's construction reports:

• Jim Wells County, Texas has issued an RFQ to architecture and engineering firms to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the county's existing 88-bed jail, with submittals due Aug. 19.
• Sandoval County, N.M. is prequalifying contractors for a renovation and addition project at the Sandoval County Judicial Complex, with bids due Aug. 21.

And finishing up with events:

• The American Correctional Association's 156th Congress of Correction, the Correctional Leaders Association Summer Conference, and the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators Summer Juvenile Justice Leadership Forum recently concluded in Pittsburgh.

For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of July 27.

Let's get started with project updates:

• Officials with the Georgia Department of Corrections held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for nine new off-site-constructed modular buildings, adding 504 maximum security beds and 20 medical beds to the system.
• The Florida Department of Corrections broke ground on two new modular medical facilities at Lowell Correctional Institution and the South Florida Reception Center, expected to open in 2027.
• Summit County, Ohio broke ground on a roughly $3.9 million intake and medical assessment expansion at the county jail.
• The $14 million Cole County, Mo., Juvenile Center project is on track for completion in March 2027, according to Nabholz Construction.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

• The South Fulton Municipal Regional Jail Authority in Georgia authorized the issuance of bonds to support Fulton County's proposed $1.36 billion, decade-long jail overhaul.
• Commissioners in Union County, N.C., unanimously approved placing a $200 million jail bond referendum on the November 3rd ballot.
• Voters in Clark County, Wash., will consider a $366.2 million bond in November to renovate and expand the county jail and add courtrooms.

Next in people news:

• STV has named Codi Newsom Vice President and Justice Market Pursuit Leader within its National Buildings Group.

And now for this week's construction reports:

• Fulton County, Ga., is seeking proposals from design, architectural and engineering firms for a new 1,800-bed, 780,000-square-foot special-purpose detention facility, with proposals due August 27.
• Construction Manager J.H. Findorff, on behalf of Portage County, Wis., is seeking bids for work on the new $70 million Portage County Jail and Law Enforcement Center, with bids due August 13.
• San Patricio County, Texas, has issued an RFQ for a design-build project to construct a new 400-bed county jail, with submittals due August 13.
• Scotland County, N.C., has issued an RFQ to architecture and engineering firms to conduct a feasibility study for a new 250-bed detention facility, with bids due August 14.

And finishing up with events:

• The American Correctional Association's 156th Congress of Corrections, the Correctional Leaders Association's Summer Conference and the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators' Summer Juvenile Justice Leadership Forum will take place concurrently in Pittsburgh from July 30 through August 2. Visit the Correctional News team at booth 515 in the ACA exhibit hall.

For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of July 20.

Let's get started with project updates:

• Williamson County, Texas officials marked the topping out of the county's $90 million Juvenile Justice Center expansion, which is expected to be completed by the summer of 2027.
• Leaders in Orangeburg County, S.C., held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new $60 million courthouse project, which is expected to be completed in two years.
• A Monroe County, Ind., subcommittee voted to recommend renovating and expanding the existing jail complex in downtown Bloomington using the adjacent county-owned Curry Building.
• Officials in Hillsborough County, N.H., are considering plans to build a new $285 million, 485-bed jail in Goffstown to replace the current facility in Manchester.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

• A federal judge appointed former Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Director Annette Chambers-Smith to oversee healthcare across Arizona's nine state-run prisons.
• Commissioners in Lorain County, Ohio began public hearings on two proposed sales tax measures to fund the construction and operation of a new $142.6 million, 540-bed jail facility.

Next, in people news:

• ModCorr has appointed 40-year construction and infrastructure veteran Eric Kishel as Executive Vice President.
• GFT has named David McRoberts, CPP, Principal Advisor, Justice Systems, Operations & Public Safety Infrastructure.
• The Delaware County, Pa., Jail Oversight Board appointed Jeffrey Lange interim warden of the George W. Hill Correctional Facility.
• Armor Health has appointed Dr. Syretta James as Chief Behavioral Health Officer.

And now for this week's construction reports:

• Architect Goodwyn Mills Cawood and construction manager Volkert Inc. are prequalifying contractors for the new $500 million Escambia Men's Prison project in Alabama, with proposals due July 30.
• The Grand Traverse County, Mich., Sheriff's Office is requesting proposals from vendors for inmate communication systems at the Grand Traverse County Jail, with proposals due August 5.
• The State of Delaware is seeking bids for the expansion and renovation of the infirmary at the Baylor Women's Correctional Center, with bids due August 20.

And finishing up with events:

• The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives' 50th Annual Training Conference will take place from July 24–28 in Dallas.
• The American Correctional Association's 156th Congress of Corrections, the Correctional Leaders Association Summer Conference, and the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators Summer Juvenile Justice Leadership Forum will be held concurrently in Pittsburgh from July 30 through Aug. 2.

For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.