Construction Begins For $13.5M Hamilton Co. Jail Expansion

HAMILTON COUNTY, IN -- The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and other public officials took part in a ground-breaking ceremony Tuesday for the much-needed expansion of the 25-year-old Hamilton County Jail in Noblesville. The sheriff's office says months of planning for the $13.5 million construction project should help reduce issues in the facility built for 296 inmates, but instead averaged over 380 in 2017.

Construction on the jail expansion will include an additional 120 beds in 11 cell pods with 84 prefabricated steel cells for two and four people, more space for physical activity, medical support and classrooms, a several programs take place at the Cumberland Road facility, sheriff's office officials say.

January 2016's House Bill 1006 implemented that inmates with 365 days or less left in the Indiana Department of Corrections are now housed at the county level. However, adding space with the conversion of the former Juvenile Secure Detention facility into a women’s jail, the increase in the inmate population as well as an increase in local arrests put a strain on current housing options, officials say.

The expansion project is expected to take around a year with the goal that inmates will be housed in the new wing in April 2019, and a second phase of the project could add an additional 136 beds. Officials say county commissioners hope the second phase can be completed this year but are waiting for more funds.

More details can be found at hamiltoncounty.in.gov.

Image via the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office