Work Starts Soon On New Paulding Jail, Sheriff's Office

DALLAS, GA — Hammers will start swinging soon on a new Paulding County jail and sheriff's office approved by voters in November.

Last week, a firm was hired to design the complex. Wakefield Beasley and Associates was awarded that contract, according to the Paulding County Sheriff's Office.

In November, Paulding County voters approved $77 million in bonds to build the new complex, which will be located near the county courthouse on U.S. 278.

The vote to pay for the new facility won by more than 10,000 votes, 34,973 to 24,729.

Sheriff Gary Gulledge and other county officials say the current jail, which is nearly 30 years old, is rundown and overcrowded — sometimes housing as many as 320 inmates in a facility build for 200.

Paulding county officials have created a website to keep the public updated on the progress of the new jail and sheriff's office. Once the project breaks ground, visitors will be able to see photographs and regular progress updates on the site.

Photo courtesy Paulding County Sheriff's Office