(KTNC) - The Richardson County Citizens Advisory Jail Committee met for the first time Thursday evening.
The 10-member committee will make a recommendation to the County Board regarding a proposal to turn the Armory Building on the west edge of Falls City into a new County Jail.
Eight of 10 committee members were at Thursday’s kick-off meeting. They heard from Jay Weingarten and Scott Lundberg with the architecture firm Prochaska and Associates of Omaha. They outlined the role of committee members and went over options they’d have to consider for the county jail.
Those options are either renovate and expand the Armory, or close the jail and transport prisoners to other facilities.
Some committee members expressed reservation initially about the need for improvements to the current jail, but Sheriff Randy Houser said he hoped to demonstrate why a new jail is needed, saying it comes down to safety for both staff and inmates.
Denny McCumber with Nebraska Jail Standards was at the meeting. He said safety is the number one issue they focus on. McCumber said there have been several suicides in the Richardson County Jail over the years, something he attributes to the fact that the facility is hard to supervise. That’s something that he says poses liability issues.
Weingarten estimated that a new jail would cost from $1.5 million for a bare-bones facility to between 3 million and 4 million dollars.
He said the committee members will hold four more meetings before coming to a decision on a recommendation by the end of November.
© MSC News
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Atchison apt fire claim's toddler's life, injures others
Four arrested for illegal activity on Kickapoo Reservation
Two search warrants, two Horton homes, two arrests
Whiting woman pleads to theft of fire dept. funds
One injured in Nemaha Co wreck
Wetmore man arrested on child sex-related charge
Flags across KS to fly half-staff Sunday
Walnut Township Treasurer removed; votes unofficial until canvass
Two men arrested in Jackson Co for distribute of meth
TX man to stand trial on charges in fatal Jackson Co crash
Local judge files for re-election
Atchison in running for national fireworks honors
USD 430 Board accepts resignations, approves new hires
Rural Horton man arrested on multiple drug charges
Bridge work begins Wed in Doniphan Co
Latest Brown, Doniphan Co filings
BC's Pate remembered by students, college family
LATEST STORIES
Developing: One dead in Atchison wreck
Street lights to be discussed at Monday city meeting
Truck fire at CGB facility in Falls City
Bridge work scheduled for Atchison County MO
Meteorologist Spencer: Geometric Watch means electronic disruptions
Rural Horton man arrested on multiple drug charges
Recycling program discussed at Doniphan Co meeting
Two candidates file for Jackson Co attorney
RELATED STORIES
Richardson County to recall jail bonds
Sheriff may resign over Commissioners decision
Not guilty plea entered in courthouse break in
Arrest made in Richardson Co Courthouse burglary
Open House Set for New Richardson Co Law Enforcement Center
Richardson County Jail Kitchen Discussed
New Richardson Co Law Enforcement Center on Schedule
Richardson Co Sheriff Presents E911 Dispatch Proposal
Decisions Needed To Be Made on Richardson County Jail Kitchen