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Richardson Co Sheriff Discusses Need for New Jail

By John Nixon

02/26/2014

(KLZA) -- Richardson County Commissioners have been discussing ways to finance a new jail and law enforcement center utilizing the former National Guard Armory the County purchased several years ago. More discussion was held Tuesday regarding plans for the project.

A steering committee has recommended that a new jail and law enforcement center be built and the public was offered several opportunities to tour the current jail earlier this year.

A 24-bed facility is what a study indicated would cover the needs of Richardson County for the next 30 years.

Sheriff Randy Houser strongly supports a new facility. He says physical separation between the different levels of the Sheriff’s Office and Jail at the Courthouse is a major concern, noting usage of three floors. In addition, there is not direct observation of inmates. Sheriff Houser further explained there are dangers for employees as well as prisoners housed in the Jail due to only one person being on duty at the jail overnight.

Another factor in need for a new jail is separating inmates. Houser says in the past three years at the Richardson County Jail the average days a female has been housed in the jail has increased from two days per month to the current average of 26 days per month.

Of major concern to the Commissioners and taxpayers is the cost of a new facility. Estimates from as little as $1.8-million to $3.6-million have been discussed at meetings. Sheriff Houser said the high end of the estimate was for a design proposed that includes much more than what he had in mind for a new facility. Houser thinks the cost will be $2-million or less for the facility.

Houser estimates the increase in cost for personnel at the new jail at about $120,000 annually. At the present time there is not an estimate on what the utility costs for a new facility at the armory would be.

The total amount of new construction at the facility is estimated between 4,200 and 4,400-square-feet.

Richardson County purchased the armory building in 2009 for $87,000 from the State of Nebraska. There is more than six acres of land included.

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