MARSHALL COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — A $10 million renovation of the Marshall County Jail was completed last year.
Although new plumbing and overall infrastructure repairs have been made, Sheriff Phil Sims said the jail faces population issues that will likely increase during the warmer months.
“As you know, it's a busy time of year. We took in 360 inmates, which is the highest we've ever had at one time, and that was last summer.” Sims explained. “If you put too many people in a crowded prison, there will be fights and incidents.”
Sims claims the facility is overcrowded and inmates sleep in makeshift beds. It is the female population that requires the most attention.
Construction of a larger prison is taking shape.
Since his election in 2019, Sims has been a catalyst for the construction of new prison facilities.
The jail currently houses more than 300 people and has only 196 beds, but Sims has asked the Marshall County Commission for an additional 250 beds to alleviate overcrowding.
But commission Chairman James Hutchison said the estimated $20 million price tag could put a strain on the county's available funds at this point.
“If he wants to build it, we have to maintain it and stock it. The whole nine yards. So building it is just the first part of it,” Hutchison said. he said.
Sims added that additional space is also needed to help inmates reintegrate into society through educational programs and drug and mental health recovery programs.
Sims says the price tag won't stop it from expanding.
“Our county is in good financial shape because Chairman James Hutchison has done a very good job of keeping the county in good financial shape with an excellent credit rating,” Sims told News 19. “We have the highest bond credit rating in the county.” You can have it beyond local government. I have no doubt that he and I will work with his commissioners to come up with a plan that can fund this prison. ”
The prison expansion is expected to take up to three years to complete.