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New Richardson Co Law Enforcement Center on Schedule

By John Nixon

05/19/2016

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Two Man Cell

View from observation area

(KLZA)-- The new Richardson County Law Enforcement Center and Jail is on schedule to open in early August.

The former National Guard Armory located on the west edge of Falls City has undergone some major changes since the remodeling and work on the new addition began. Sheriff Don Pounds says it’s exciting to see the progress each week. He says the move-in date is scheduled to be August 1st.

The new jail, with an estimated $3.8-million price tag will be able to house 24 prisoners and Sheriff Pounds says an agreement is already in place to house prisoners from Sarpy County as soon as the facility is ready.

Meeting the Nebraska Jail Standards means a number of additions to the new facility. The facility will include a medical office, although there are no plans for a staff physician or nurse. There is a locker room for the deputies. In addition there is a much larger exercise area for prisoners.

Each cell must have a sky light. Some cells will hold just two prisoners while there is a cell large enough to hold eight. In addition there are three holding cells for use when an arrest is made. When prisoners are brought to the jail, they will get out of patrol units inside a garage area instead of outside.

The Sheriff’s Office will be able to observe happenings in the Richardson County Courthouse using camera’s. Sheriff Pounds says the technology in the building is impressive. From the master control room you can open and close doors and control the water going into the showers, toilets and sinks.

Over the years in the current Richardson County Jail, water has been a problem. Prisoners have plugged sinks and toilets in the past and caused thousands of dollars of damage by flooding the cells.

With the new cells, doing damage to the facility will be much more difficult. Steel cells, concrete walls and an epoxy floor will be tough to damage. In fact, event the picnic-type tables prisoners sit at will be bolted to the floor.

There is a central corrections tower where all the cells can be viewed at once. A kitchen is also going to be installed, to help cut down on the cost of meals. Prisoners will also be able to work in the laundry.

Sheriff Pounds says he is confident the facility will be ready to open in August.