Grant may double size of jail

Officials at the Jackson County Sheriff's Office are keeping their fingers crossed in anticipation of a $9.2 million grant that would nearly double the capacity of the county's jail.

Last week the department filed a grant application through the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. If approved early next month, the county would have to pay for at least 10 percent of the expansion costs.

"We don't want to get too excited yet," said Lt. Jeff Whitbeck, jail administrator. "It's all if's right now."

The jail, which currently has 117 beds, has been full or nearly full for weeks, which Whitbeck said causes problems in segregating certain populations, such as violent offenders or people with mental illnesses. If the grant is approved, the jail will expand to 224 beds.

And while extra space would make daily operations easier, Whitbeck said the main purpose of the grant is to relieve pressure from the Illinois Department of Corrections by providing space to house lesser felony inmates at county jails instead of state facilities.

Whitbeck said overpopulation at state jails is trickling into county facilities due to the Truth In Sentencing program, which requires most offenders to serve 85 percent of their sentenced jail time.

In addition to the possible expansion grant, the jail's central control center, where workers monitor cellblocks, was recently upgraded with $198,000 worth of new computer and observation equipment.

Tom Busch, administrative assistant, said the new digital technology is expandable, which could come in handy if the building grant is approved.

"We are looking at about 16 years worth of use, it simply needed to be tuned up," Busch said. "It goes along with the possibility of expansion.

"When this jail was first occupied in 1989, it was a modern facility and folks didn't think that it would ever grow old or max out, but we are. More than that, we need to look to the future and anticipate that our day-to-day needs will constantly increase."

While no expansion or renovation plans have been solidified, Whitbeck said an engineering firm that accessed the building for the grant process suggested smaller cellblocks for safety and pointed out some needed additions if expansion takes place.

"When you talk about doubling the beds, you have to remember that everything else doubles with it," Whitbeck said. "We have to have larger laundry facilities, visitation ... the only thing that doesn't need to change is the kitchen, which is good, 'cause that gets a little pricey."

If approved, Busch said he expects construction to begin later this year and run through late 2007.