Federal court mandates action; price tag estimated at $125 million

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The Howard County Council approved a request for $2.2 million on Dec. 10 with the intent of acquiring land for a new jail. The request was submitted by the Howard County Board of Commissioners after a federal judge ordered the county to take action.

According to Howard County Commissioner Jack Dodd, the money will be used to acquire 48 acres of land adjacent to the current jail to the west. Dodd, the president of the board of commissioners, explained that the county was summoned to appear in federal court in Indianapolis Nov. 15 to answer to charges by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) that jail overcrowding in Howard County had created inhumane conditions.

"The judge was very good, and he told us one of two things are going to happen," said Dodd. "We are either going to build a new jail or renovate the existing jail.

"We looked into the cost of renovation and determined it would cost approximately $95 million. That would include redoing the kitchen and laundry areas that are located in the middle of the facility, and it would require the construction of new pods, which would be difficult. And that cost doesn't include reworking the dispatch area."

Dodd said that the commissioners and council together concluded that building new was a wiser approach. After researching the matter, they estimated the cost of a new jail between $120-$125 million.

​“This can has been kicked down the road so much that it no longer looks like a can and there's no more road to kick down."

— Commissioner Jack Dodd

The county's hands are tied in the matter, Dodd explained. For decades, county leaders struggled with the possibility of building a new jail. Several intermediary steps have been taken, such as converting gymnasiums into holding areas. But pushing off the matter in no longer an option.

"Nobody wants to do this," said Dodd. "But this can has been kicked down the road so much that it no longer looks like a can and there's no more road to kick down."

The judge gave Howard County until Sept. 25, 2025, to make progress on the jail issue and warned that the longer the county takes, the less input it will have on the project.

Negotiation for the land is complete, Dodd said, and the transaction will close promptly in light of the county council's approval of the funding. He believes the location is ideal for a new jail.

"We will be able to maintain the hills and trees on the land to create a barrier between the jail and nearby residential areas," said Dodd. "I used to live right next to this land, and it was never a bother to live so close to the jail. I was always more worried that this land would be used for retail or apartments.

"I can envision leaving as much as 300 yards between the new jail and the residential areas. I will ensure that separation happens."

Once the property is acquired, Howard County will send out architectural RFPs -- Requests For Proposal -- and will hire a contractor and an owner's representative to ensure the best interests of the county are protected. Once the design is approved, construction will begin. Dodd did not have a timeframe for when these steps will be complete. Funding for the new jail will require the county to issue bonds for the construction which will be repaid over time.