jail ribbon

The county took another step toward ending some of its jail overcrowding problems Thursday.
Even though work is still going on inside, officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the $7 million facility and even gave it a new name.
patrick mooreThe Patrick E. Moore Detention Facility plaque was unveiled to a surprised and embarrassed retired judge who helped drive the work for the new facility.
Located just northwest of the county courthouse, the facility is designed to handle some of the non-violent and juvenile prisoners now filling the county jail. The original jail was designed to house 128 people a day but recent counts have put it at 300 daily.
It was that overcrowding nearly four years ago that caused a showdown between state and county officials requiring the new annex.
County commissioner Robert Hardridge told the nearly 100 present Thursday that the county was facing a state takeover of the facility. “It couldn’t have come at a worse time.” He explained the county was in the midst of dealing with flooding that destroyed a number of roads.  “An extension of the sales tax was the only way out.”
Voters approved that extension of a quarter-cent sales tax in 2014 and ground was broken.
“The project is complete and now we have a moment to catch our breath,” he said. “We can’t build a new facility every 10 to 15 years to solve these crises. As local governments, we need to work more closely together to alleviate these threats. The state must understand there is no more belt to be tightened at the local level.”
The new facility is expected to open in January. Throughout December, new employees are going to be trained and equipment and supplies moved in.