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Moseley Architects has released a planning study recommending that a new jail be built at the site shown above, located in the City of Harrisonburg.

Before we get to the details of this potential new facility, you may want to read up on this issue at Old South High....

A $60 million new jail by the landfill that’s projected to reach capacity in seven years is the plan to fix overcrowding – that is, if it’s actually a real plan at all
By Andrew Jenner | Published November 7, 2014

Now, a few snippets about the proposed new facility, from today's Daily News Record article provide some insight into what this facility would be used for....

According to the planning study, the annex would “primarily be a minimum security, treatment and program based building” with 315 beds.

It would also house all women prisoners and include a mental health housing unit and a less secure “community custody wing.”

The wing would provide dormitory- style housing for inmates involved with work release, education release, work programs and re-entry programs.

The annex would also include visitation rooms, four classrooms, a library, indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, medical offices and detox cells.

A bit about the costs of the proposed new jail....

The total cost of the project is estimated at more than $63.26 million, half of which would come from the state and the rest split between the city and county.

And it's possible future expansion....

The cost includes a possible future expansion of the new facility to accommodate an additional 385 beds — for a total of 700 — estimated to cost $5.78 million.

The annex would be 144,000 square feet, with the option to expand to 230,140 square feet in the future.

And the timing of this potential project....

Officials aim to submit a corrections study to the state by the end of the year. With state approval expected to take roughly a year, officials are hoping to receive state funding for construction in 2016.

If the funds are approved then, the study plans for the new facility to open in March 2020.

Read more in today's Daily News Record article....

Jail Study Recommends New Building
Daily News Record, November 21, 2014