ANDERSON — A proposal to bring significant changes to the criminal justice system in Madison County has received the support of the county council.
The Madison County Council Tuesday joined with the Madison County Commissioners to move forward with a proposal to complete the construction of the new county jail, bring changes to community corrections and provide treatment for those incarcerated.
The Madison County Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council proposed providing treatment services for incarcerated people dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues.
The proposal includes the completion of the new jail, which will add 132 beds; launching treatment programs that will be paid for with funds the county has received from the opioid settlement; and using the existing Community Justice Center for in-home detention, work release and housing the probation and parole departments.
“There are few projects that can be transformative for our community,” said Scott Green, president of the county council.
Green made the motion to move forward with the project that is expected to cost $10 million to $12 million to complete the construction of the jail.
His motion, which was adopted by the entire council, is dependent on funding, some of which will be made public in January.
“We’ve been fighting jail overcrowding for 20 years,” Councilman Rob Steele said.
Steele said if the construction of the jail is delayed, the costs will increase.
“I love this plan,” Councilwoman Bethany Keller said. “I support the motion tonight with a funding discussion in January.”
Green said possible funding sources include refinancing $79.6 million from the bond issue for the construction of the jail, with the interest being used to complete the work on the new jail.
Madison Circuit Court Division 1 Judge Angela Warner Sims said the first step has to be the construction of the jail, which would add substance abuse and mental health treatment programs.
Sims said the county can finance the treatment through the opioid settlement funds. “There are restricted and unrestricted funds,” she said of the anticipated $4.5 million the county will receive through 2038. “Some of the restricted funds could be used for capital projects that would enhance t reatment programs.”
Sims said the number of work release beds would be reduced, and the proposal provides for increased monitoring of those people on in-home detention.
“This is a multi-phase project and will take several years to remodel the Community Justice Center,” she said. “Change takes leadership; change takes courage.”
The total cost of the project to build a 525-bed facility in North Anderson is $105.5 million.
The new jail is currently on schedule and within the budget, with completion expected in October 2026. Inmates are expected to be moved from the existing facility by the end of 2026.
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