It took 13 years and three jail committees but Cowley County finally has a new jail.
“There were times I had some doubts,” admits Sheriff Bob Odell.
The members of those jail committees and a citizen bond oversight committee get to see the results of their efforts during a series of tours today.
“I knew (a new jail) was going to happen. It was just a matter of when. I wasn’t sure I would be here ‘when’,” Odell said today.
Public tours are scheduled for Saturday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m..; Sunday between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.; and, Monday, between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. County employees got to see what all the dust and banging has been about Wednesday afternoon.
“I’ve heard nobody say it’s lavish or extravagant. It’s very plain, but it’s big,” Odell said. “It’s got a lot of safety built into it for the staff and those in here serving time.”
The population – 96 – was lower Friday than it has been. The capacity in the old jail was 39 and 30 in the annex across the street from the courthouse. Fourteen inmates are presently being housed in the Sumner County jail.
Cowley County housed 13 inmates in the Sumner County jail during January. At $32.50 a day, the tab for January was $7,702.50, according to county records.
The new jail was built to accommodate 400 inmates over a period of time. Three areas in the new facility were oversized to accommodate future growth – the in-take booking area, the laundry and the kitchen.
The staff has to be trained before inmates are moved and area law enforcement officers go through orientation. The schedule calls for inmates to move into the new jail March 16.
Revenue from the sales tax approved by voters to finance the $10 million jail is more than expected, according to Odell.
“I know a lot of people are curious. Hopefully, they’ll come in and see for themselves what their tax dollars are being spent for,” he said. “I think we’ve got a real nice facility for what’s been spent. It looks like it will be paid off a lot sooner than expected. So, we’re just real pleased.”
The staff is not only getting ready for the tours but organizing the move of the administrative offices from the west side of the courthouse to the east side.
“That’s not an easy task,” Odell said. “
