Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of May 4.

This episode is brought to you by Willoughby Industries, American-made since 1947. Visit willoughby-ind.com or call 463-314-1043 to get started.

Let's get into it with project updates:

• A special committee voted to resume construction of the new Cuyahoga County Central Services Campus project in Ohio last week. The estimated $894 million project is expected to be complete in 2029.
• A groundbreaking ceremony was held late last month for the $170 million Eddy County Detention Center project in New Mexico, with construction expected to take three years.
• The latest schematic design plans for a new jail in Muscogee County, Ga., call for a facility with about 1,600 beds, with an estimated construction cost of more than $480 million.
• Construction bids for a new $35.7 million courthouse project in Transylvania County, N.C., are expected to go out in June, with project completion expected by the end of 2028.
• A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held late last month at the new Idaho County Jail in Grangeville, Idaho.

Up next in legislation and funding:

• Last week, the Maine Department of Corrections announced the state's participation in Reentry 2030, a national initiative aimed at reducing recidivism.
• Lawmakers in Colorado passed two bills last week aimed at reducing the state's prison population.

Moving on to people news:

• Wayne Salisbury, director of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections, announced he will step down from his post in June to take on a new role overseeing efforts to reform New York's Rikers Island jail complex.
• Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced the retirement of Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm and appointed Greg Lovelace to serve the remainder of Hamm’s term.

And now for this week's construction reports:

• Howell County, Mo., has issued an RFQ for architectural design and construction services for a new Sheriff's Office and Jail or Justice Center project, with submittals due May 21.
• Eagle County, Colo., has issued an RFP for a construction manager and general contractor for an expansion project at the Eagle County Justice Center, with bids due May 26.
• Navajo County, Ariz., has issued an RFQ to consultants for development of a comprehensive site and facilities master plan for the governmental complex in Holbrook, with submittals due May 27.

And finishing up with events:

• Correctional News and Viapath Technologies will host an exclusive webinar, "Telehealth in Corrections: Enhancing Positive Correctional Care Outcomes," on Wednesday, May 13.

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