This is the month! For two years, we have been telling you that the end of September, 2023, would be when we have our new Sheriff's Office and Jail Facility ready to go. We are still on track for that to happen. Staff, architects and contractors have been going through "punch list" walk-throughs of the building section-by-section for over a month now, and Turner Construction intends to hand over the keys to the facility on Monday, Sept. 25.

While there's still a lot to be done to make that happen (and there will be even more to be done to get Sheriff's staff and inmates into the building once we have possession), completion is tantalizingly close. From site fencing going up to final touch-up painting occurring in the cell blocks to the last layer of asphalt being placed on the driveway and sprinkler lines being run for landscaping, lots of folks are on site on a daily basis to bring this project in on time.

Below are some updated photos. If you compare these to the photos we sent back in May, you can see all the progress that has been made.

Main lobby looking into jail area

Entrance to jail from public area

Medical unit

Special needs housing unit

Outdoor courtyard in programs area

Recreation yard

Booking area

Central control

Housing unit control

Housing unit pod

Kitchen

Laundry

As we reported to you in May, October and November will be opportunities for public tours, staff training and exercise of building systems, and inmates are anticipated to be housed in the new jail by early December. One of the first opportunities that we are proud to announce for the public to get a feel for the new facility is "Slumber in the Slammer," which will be held on Friday, November 3. See the attached image below for details (click on the image for a printable PDF version of the flyer).

Stay tuned for more information!

Phil Smith-Hanes

Saline County Administrator