Corrections Connections

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.

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of July 13.

Let's get started with project updates:

• South Dakota officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new $87 million, 102-750-square-foot women’s prison in Rapid City.
• Santa Barbara County awarded a nearly $139 million design-build contract to Sletten Construction Company and partner DLR Group for the North Branch Jail expansion project.
• A new $60 million, 200-bed jail in Cheatham County, Tenn., designed by MBI Companies and built by BELL Construction officially opened last week.
• The Montana Department of Corrections will explore using existing facilities to expand housing for women inmates, as the Montana Women’s Prison remains at or above capacity.
• Hancock County, Maine, officials held a groundbreaking ceremony last week for the new $55 million Hancock Judicial Center.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

• North Carolina’s newly signed state budget includes major raises for Department of Adult Correction employees, though officials say more is needed to fill staffing vacancies.
• Spokane County, Wash., officials are considering tax measures to fund a replacement jail and community-based behavioral health facilities ahead of the November ballot.
• The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana will receive up to $27 million in state funding for design and construction of a new jail.

Next in people and company news:

• The Federal Bureau of Prisons awarded Securus Technologies a contract to provide secure tablets to all inmates in custody in BOP facilities.
• CorrectPac, a division of PortionPac Chemical Corporation, has named Pam Engel as its Western Regional Manager.
• Habersham Metal Products has named Jay Hill its new Detention Sales Manager.

Now for this week's construction reports:

• The Pierce County, Wash., Facilities Management Department has issued an RFQ to architecture firms for pre-design services for a Jail Replacement Project, with submittals due July 31.
• New Kent County, Va., is seeking proposals from architecture and engineering firms for the design and construction of a new county courthouse, with proposals due Aug. 14.

And finishing up with events:

• The National Commission on Correctional Health Care's 2026 Correctional Mental Health Conference will take place in Austin, Texas, from July 18–20.
• The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives will host its 50th Annual Training Conference in Dallas, from July 24–28.
• The American Correctional Associations 156th Congress of Corrections, the Correctional Leaders Association’s Summer Conference and the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators’ Summer Juvenile Justice Leadership Forum will be held concurrently in Pittsburgh later this month, from July 30–Aug. 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 July 6.

Let's get started with project updates:

• Rutherford County, Tenn., officials are considering building an estimated $375 million jail and sheriff's office complex in Murfreesboro to address overcrowding.
• The Massachusetts Trial Court and Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance has selected the site and development team for the new Roderick L. Ireland Regional Justice Center in downtown Springfield.
• Tarrant County, Texas unveiled its renovated Sheriff's Office training facility last month after a three-year, $25 million upgrade project.
• Scott County, Mo., opened its new Justice Center in Benton late last month, adding more than 14,000 square feet to the judicial building.
• Botetourt County, Va., marked a construction milestone on the new $37 million Circuit Courthouse with a topping-off ceremony last month.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

• Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida's $117.6 billion budget while vetoing funds tied to a proposed new 600-bed prison hospital in Gilchrist County and correctional staff raises.
• California's recently approved 2026-2027 budget includes $2.7 billion over 5 years for 14 judicial branch projects and $350.9 million for new courthouses.

Next in people news:

• Richard Comerford has been appointed as Secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections, succeeding Ricky Dixon, who retired on June 30.
• DeSoto Parish, La., Sheriff Jayson Richardson was elected President of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association Executive Board.

And now for this week's construction reports:

• Sarasota County, Fla., is seeking proposals from both architecture and CMAR firms for design and construction of a new multi-level addition to the downtown Sarasota Correctional Campus, with architectural submittals due July 27 and CMAR submittals due July 30.
• Collin County, Texas has issued an RFQ to architecture and engineering firms to design a new single-story juvenile detention building, with submittals due July 30.

And finishing up with events:

• The Correctional Leaders Association's 2026 Western Region Meeting will take place in Cle Elum, Wash., from July 13–16.
• The National Commission on Correctional Health Care will hold its 2026 Correctional Mental Health Conference in Austin, Texas, from July 18–20.
• The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives will commemorate its 50th annual training conference in Dallas, from July 24–28.

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 June 29.

Let's get started with project updates:

• The Lorain County Jail Advisory Board in Ohio has approved designs from DLZ Architecture for a new $143 million, 540-bed jail based on a podular supervision model.
• The Elmore County Commission in Alabama has approved a $69.9 million bid from FITE Building Company to construct a new 480-bed jail.
• Officials in Warrick County, Ind., held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week at the new $54 million Warrick County Sheriff's Office and Security Center.
• Construction is underway on a new two-story, 52,000-square-foot federal courthouse in Medford, Ore., which is expected to finish by late 2027.
• The Lee County, Miss., Board of Supervisors has approved a $9.3 million agreement with Tindall Corporation to provide 31 prefabricated detention cells for the new Lee County Justice and Public Safety Center.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

• Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced new Virginia Department of Corrections reforms and created the Governor's Community Partnership Council on Corrections.
• The Tennessee Department of Correction is launching mobile community supervision offices to help probationers and parolees in rural areas meet requirements and access support services.

Next in people news:

• NELSON Worldwide has hired Julian Andrade as Vice President and Practice Delivery Leader of the company's Civic and Justice Practice.
• STV named Marcus Weidner as its first Chief Technology Officer to support the firm's digital and AI transformation.

Now for this week's construction reports:

• Transylvania County, N.C., is prequalifying contractors to build a new $40 million, two-story county courthouse, with bids due July 10.
• The Virginia Department of Corrections has issued an RFP for architectural and engineering firms to provide on-call project services, with bids due July 15.
• Construction Manager McCownGordon Construction is seeking subcontractors for the new $55 million Finney County Detention Center project in Kansas, with bids due July 27.

And finishing up with events:

• The Correctional Leaders Association's 2026 Western Region Meeting will take place in Cle Elum, Washington from July 13–16.
• The National Commission on Correctional Health Care will host its 2026 Correctional Mental Health Conference in Austin, Texas from July 18–20.
• The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives will commemorate its 50th annual training conference in Dallas from July 24–28.

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 June 22.

Let's get started with project updates:

• In Grant County, Wash., officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the new $155 million county jail and sheriff's headquarters. The 512-bed facility was designed by Clemons Rutherford and Associates with Lydig Construction serving as construction manager.
• Passaic County, N.J., has announced plans to redevelop the site of its former county jail in downtown Paterson into a $150 million, six-story government hub, which will include a new sheriff's office corrections division hub.
• Work is progressing on the new $74 million Warren County Jail in Mississippi. The 240-bed facility, designed by JBHM Architects with White Construction as construction manager, is on track to open later this year.
• In South Carolina, the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office completed a $42 million, 95,000-square-foot expansion of the Hill-Finklea Detention Center, bringing the total capacity of the facility to 565 beds.
• Despite recent weather delays, construction remains on track for the new $37 million Codington County Jail and Law Enforcement Center in South Dakota, designed by HDR.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced more than $700 million in funding opportunities to support behavioral health treatment, recovery services, and crisis response for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Up next in people and company news:

• JE Dunn Construction has signed a letter of intent to acquire Henry Carlson Construction, based in Sioux Falls, S.D. The two firms are currently joint-venturing on the state's new $650 million men's corrections facility.
• Former correctional officer and Director of the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation Daniel Satterlee has been sworn in as the U.S. Marshal for the District of South Dakota.
• Laramie County, Wyo., Chief Deputy Perry Rockvam was awarded the National Sheriffs' Association's Corrections/Jail Innovations of the Year Award.

Moving on to construction reports:

• The Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management is pre-qualifying subcontractors for the new $187.5 million Quincy Justice Center, with bids due July 13.
• Catoosa County, Ga. is seeking bids for a new 108-bed work release dormitory. Bids are due July 23.
• Liberty County, Ga., is seeking proposals for a comprehensive evaluation of its county jail facilities, with proposals due July 30.
• Butler County, Ky., is accepting bid packages for the new $14 million Butler County Judicial Center, with bids due July 22.

And finishing up with events:

• The Correctional Leaders Association's "CLA on the Hill" is taking place this week in Washington, D.C.
• This Thursday, Correctional News and Axon are co-hosting a live webinar, “AI in Corrections: Trends, Challenges and the Future of Safer Facilities,” on the application of artificial intelligence in correctional facilities.

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 June 15.

Let's get started with project updates:

• Ground was broken last week for the new $308 million Stearns County, Minn., Justice Center, a 482,000-square-foot facility expected to be complete in 2029.
• Williamson County, Tenn., officials broke ground last week on a new 230,000-square-foot adult detention center, slated for completion in 2029 as part of a larger Justice Campus project.
• Hudson County, N.J., officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week for the new $350 million, 405,000-square-foot Honorable Frank J. Guarini Justice Complex.
• Flathead County, Mont., officials broke ground last week on a new $90 million, 110,000-square-foot detention center, with completion anticipated in three years.
• The Cherokee Nation held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new $40 million Justice Center in Tahlequah, Okla., which will house the Nation's Supreme and District Courts.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

• Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed an $18.3 billion budget package last weekend, which includes $55.8 million allocated to the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry for court-mandated healthcare staffing.

Next, in people news:

• Dewberry named Robert Williams President of its national design-build practice.
• Willo Products Company has promoted Brian Foss to Chief Product Officer.
• Moody County, S.D., Sheriff Troy Wellman was sworn in as the new president of the National Sheriffs' Association.

And now for this week's construction reports:

• Lucas County, Ohio has issued an RFQ for architectural and engineering services for a renovation project at the Lucas County Corrections Center, with submittals due June 26.
• Richland County, S.C., has issued an RFP for design-build services for a new $30 million Emergency Operations Center, with bids due July 7.
• The State of Wisconsin's Division of Facilities Development is accepting bids for the construction of a new $96.7 million Type 1 juvenile facility in Dane County, with bids due July 23.

And finishing up with events:

• The Correctional Leaders Association's 2026 CLA on the Hill event will take place in Washington, D.C. from June 22–25. Follow Correctional News’ CLA On the Hill Media Center for coverage from the event.
• Correctional News and Axon will host a free live webinar titled "AI in Corrections: Trends, Challenges, and the Future of Safer Facilities" on Thursday, June 25th at 1:00 PM Eastern.

• 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 June 8.

Let's get started with project updates:

• Officials in Nashville and Davidson County, Tenn., have selected the joint venture of BELL Construction and Clark Construction, along with HOK, as the design-build team for the $410 million Davidson County replacement correctional facility project.
• The Douglas County, Kan., Judicial and Law Enforcement Center Expansion Project is on track for completion next month, with an $81.9 million budget led by Treanor and J.E. Dunn.
• Midland County, Texas, held a cornerstone laying for the new $170 million Gary Painter Detention Center, which will hold 880 beds upon completion.
• The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners in Pennsylvania approved design changes to restore key features to their $500 million prison project, including an expanded medical unit and additional classroom space.
• Daviess County, Ky., is facing rising costs for its detention center expansion, with estimates now reaching $56 million.
• A new crisis care center opened last week in Lynnwood, Wash., providing a $20 million alternative for mental health and substance use crises.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

• Cole County, Mo., Sheriff John Wheeler is proposing a half-cent sales tax increase, potentially for the April 2027 ballot, to fund a 160-bed jail expansion.
• FEMA has reopened the process for Cocke County, Tenn., to apply for federal funding to rebuild its jail following significant flood damage from Hurricane Helene.

Up next in people news:

• Gene Beasley has been named Deputy Director for Institutions at the Virginia Department of Corrections, effective June 25.

Moving on to construction reports:

• The Illinois Capital Development Board and the Illinois Department of Corrections have issued a pre-advertisement for the "RISE IDOC" initiative, seeking a progressive design-build entity for two new facilities in Crest Hill.
• The Madison County Board of Supervisors in Mississippi has issued an RFQ for architectural services for the renovation and expansion of the Madison County Detention Center, with bids due June 25.
• Winnebago County, Ill., is seeking bids for a $2 million mental health suite expansion at the county's juvenile detention center, with bids due June 23.

And finishing up with events:

• Correctional News and OK Alone will host a free live webinar, "Proactive Safety Strategies: Helping Corrections Leaders Build Trust, Reduce Burnout, and Improve Retention," this Wednesday, June 10, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern.
• The National Sheriffs' Association's 2026 Annual Conference is taking place this week in Omaha, Nebraska, from June 8–11.

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 June 1.

Let's get started with project updates:

• A new $231 million Sonoma County Superior Courthouse will officially open in Santa Rosa, Calif., this week, featuring 15 new courtrooms and enhanced security.
• The Monroe County Council in Indiana has rejected an $11.375 million land purchase for a proposed $224.5 million jail and justice center, forcing the county to seek alternate sites.
• Commissioners in Aroostook County, Maine have selected SMRT Architects and Engineers to design a new county jail to replace the current facility built in 1889.
• The Karnes County Commissioners Court in Texas advanced plans for a new $33 million jail expansion proposed by Burns Architecture, which would hold 107 beds.
• The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners in Nebraska approved an agreement with HDR to conduct a medical and behavioral health assessment of the Lancaster County Adult Detention Facility.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

• The Boone County Commission in Missouri has decided to move a proposed 3/8-cent sales tax, which would fund a new 570-bed jail, to the Nov. 3 ballot.

Up next in people news:

• Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon announced that he will retire on June 30 after 30 years of service.
• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced two new appointments to the Florida Prison Rehabilitative Industries and Diversified Enterprises (PRIDE) Board of Directors.
• Correctional News honors the life of William H. Dunn Sr., the former CEO of J.E. Dunn Construction, who passed away on May 31 at the age of 102.

And now for this week's construction reports:

• The City of Hutto, Texas has issued an RFQ for CMAR firms for the construction of a new $47 million Justice Center and Police Facility, with bids due June 16.
• Storey County, Nev., has issued an RFQ to architecture and engineering firms for a new $65 million consolidated justice center in Virginia City, with bids due June 16.
• Washington County, Pa., is seeking contractors for construction of a new public safety building, with bids due June 22.

And finishing up with events:

• Correctional News and OK Alone will host a free live webinar titled "Proactive Safety Strategies: Helping Corrections Leaders Build Trust, Reduce Burnout, and Improve Retention" on Wednesday, June 10 at 1:00 PM Eastern.

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