County Finalizes Funding for New Jail

Prior to unanimously voting to approve final reading of the $18 million bond slated for site purchase and construction of the consolidated Jedburg jail, Dorchester County Council heard from a lone public hearing commentator during its regular meeting Tuesday in St. George. 

Jason Lattimore of Reevesville was concerned about the site's location at Hodge Road and Deming Way in relationship to the new courthouse in St. George. The courthouse has oft been used as a cautionary tale of unintended and exorbitant expenses in constructing new county buildings — among councilmen and citizens alike. 

"It would be quite a bit of a hike to bring the prisoners to trial," Lattimore said. 

But county councilmen quickly answered his question, saying only 10 percent of arrests go to trial at the county courthouse and that logistically it proved less of a problem then transporting nearly 80 percent of arrestees from the lower half of the county to St. George. 

Council Chair Larry Hargett and fellow Councilman David Chinnis assured Lattimore this question had been answered last year by the council, as members began to explore the option to have a new jail to fit county needs.

No one else spoke at the public hearing.