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USDA Celebrates Completion of Putnam County Jail Expansion

Name
Michelle Jacobs
City
Palatka
Release Date

County officials, local, state, and federal representatives were on hand today for the official ribbon cutting ceremony of the Putnam County Jail expansion. The project was made possible by an $18.5 million USDA Rural Development loan to expand the existing county jail.

“USDA Rural Development is working with communities across the country to improve public infrastructure,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Richard A. Machek.  “Funding of the Putnam County Jail expansion is an example of Rural Development’s commitment to the future of rural communities and their wellbeing’.

The current jail facility was constructed in 1987.  Overcrowding is an ongoing problem and the jail inmate capacity of 231 beds is exceeded daily. Additional issues include poor visibility into cell blocks, water leakage after heavy rainfall, electrical wiring corrosion, no air conditioning, improper ventilation for water heaters, and corrosion of doors and frames.

The jail expansion included construction of a new 448 bed addition, a new medical and program administration building, and improvements and upgrades to the existing kitchen.  County authorities propose abandoning the current housing pods with construction of two new 224-bed housing pods that would be monitored from a central control station. The new pods were designed to minimize inmate movement, which will decrease staffing requirements and cost.  The existing pods would be vacated and later renovated for additional inmate housing.  Construction of a centrally located medical and program administration building will provide medical services to inmates as well as space for classrooms and prisoner rehabilitation activities.

President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.