Sheriff suggests jail building alternative
A jail may be in Marion County's future but it may not be built out of bricks and mortar.
Sheriff Lee Becker presented an alternative to a traditional stick-built structure — a pre-fabricated, modular structure made of steel.
"A 48-bed facility could be constructed for $640,000," said Becker at Monday's county commission meeting. A traditional structure could cost the county $2-$4 million.
The company, Eagle Modular of Peoria, Ill., specializes in detention centers.
The barrack-looking modules would be self-contained with complete facilities set in place and operational in less than a week after delivery.
The specifications included in the quoted price would include the exterior building, interior walls, insulation, ceilings and floors with insulation, windows, doors, light fixtures, water heater, toilets and lavatories, showers, and bathroom hardware and mirrors.
Becker said the company was building a jail facility for a Tennessee location and suggested county personnel visit the site once completed.
"It's designed for expansion," said Becker. The facility would expand horizontally, instead vertically, he said.
Becker said it would not be a problem for the facility to conform to state requirements for jails.
