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

Starting with project updates: 

• The Arkansas Department of Corrections released an informational resource to address concerns over its proposed 3,000-bed Franklin County Prison project. Arkansas Agency Issues ‘Guide to Help Explain’ Proposed Franklin County Prison 

• The new $59 million Bernie McCabe Second District Court of Appeals courthouse in St. Petersburg, Fla., is set to open in December. $59 Million Second District Court of Appeal Courthouse Set to Open in December in Downtown St. Pete 

• Officials in Perry County, Mo., gathered last week to cut the ribbon at the new Perry County Joint Justice Center, which doubles the county jail's capacity to 80 beds. After Delays, Disasters, County Dedicates Joint Justice Center 

• Commissioners in Kansas City have approved design and construction plans for a new $22 million, 100-bed temporary jail. Kansas City Approves First Jail Since 2009: $22 Million Facility Sparks Community Concern 

• Work on the Kingsport Justice Center expansion project in Tennessee is progressing on schedule, with Phase I set to be completed in the spring. Kingsport BMA Hears Update on Justice Center Expansion Project 

Moving over to legislation and funding: 

• Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon recently asked the state for more than $512 million in funding to maintain the prison system. Corrections Secretary Asks for ‘Staggering’ $500+ Million to Maintain Operations 

• Commissioners in Clark County, Ohio, recently heard public feedback about a proposed $100 million jail and public safety building, with a sales tax increase to fund it on the ballot in November. ‘These Decisions Are Not Taken Lightly’: County Leaders, Public Discuss New Jail 

• The Kalispell, Mont., Planning Commission held a public hearing last week on a proposed Flathead County safety facility, with a $105 million bond to fund the project on the ballot this November. Public Invited to Weigh In on Proposal to Annex Land into Kalispell for New County Jail 

• A two-day town hall was held last week to discuss a proposal to build a new jail in Nacogdoches County, Texas, with a $75 million bond on the ballot this November. Sheriff: New Jail Is Vital for Safety of Inmates, Staff 

Now covering People News: 

• Bicycle Health has appointed Steve Tomlin as its first-ever Senior Vice President of Business Development for Criminal Justice. Bicycle Health Names First Senior VP of Business Development for Criminal Justice 

• Shat·R·Shield Lighting Inc. has promoted Kevin Ruzicka to Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Product Development. Kevin Ruzicka Promoted to Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Product Development 

Moving over to construction reports: 

• Union County, Fla., is seeking bids from contractors to construct a new county jail, with bids due Nov. 5. Union County Public Notices and Advertisements 

• The Campbell County Fiscal Court in Kentucky is seeking a construction manager at-risk for the development of its new public safety building, with bids due Nov. 6. Campbell County Fiscal Court 

• The Sweetwater County Board of Commissioners in Wyoming has issued an RFP for architecture and engineering firms to perform a feasibility study for a crisis shelter addition, with proposals due Nov. 6. Sweetwater County, Wyoming 

Closing it out with event updates: 

• The International Corrections and Prisons Association's annual conference will take place Oct. 26-31 in Istanbul, Turkey. ICPA Annual Conference 2025  

• Chicago Beyond's 2025 National Justice Convening will be held Oct. 29-30. Chicago Beyond  

• The National Commission on Correctional Health Care will host the National Conference on Correctional Health Care Nov. 1-5 in Baltimore. National Conference on Correctional Health Care 

• The Correctional Leaders Association will hold its 2025 Deputy Directors and Probation and Parole Conference in Oceanside, Calif., from Nov. 3-6. CLA 2025 Events 

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

correctionalnews.com/podcast.