Sheriff Brad Burkhart

Sheriff Brad Burkhart with Kiwanian Marcie Hoffman

Hancock County Sheriff Brad Burkhart spoke to Kiwanis about the current plans to build a new jail. His presentation focused on his three most often asked questions:

1. Is the Jail Overcrowded?
2. Are you going to get a new jail?
3. Where will it be?

The current jail was build with a capacity of 157 inmates,  Model jail populations are modeled on an 80% capacity giving a model capacity of  about 126.  Currently the jail has 243 inmates.  Additionally we have 51 inmates house in LaGrange and Davies counties and 72 inmates in the Community Corrections facility. 

A new jail must be built to alleviate overcrowding, 

The current plan is to build a jail at the northwest corner of the former county farm site east of Jaycie Phelps Road,  The facility would be built with a pod structure capable of doubling capacity in the future.  Initially the capacity would be 440 inmates.  The county hopes to break ground in September of 2019 and occupy the facility in  December of 2020.