Clay County Mayor: Jail Project Moving Forward

Work on Clay County’s new jail proposal continues as inspection of the property is set to begin within the next week.

Clay County Mayor Dale Reagan said it could take some time before the project is completed.

“This is a long, drawn-out process,” Reagan said. “It’s going to be several months yet, but you’ve got to start and that’s what we’re doing.”

Clay County’s jail committee and architects have met multiple times to replace the current aging facility.

Reagan said a new jail is something the county has needed for many years.

“For the past seven or eights years, we’ve been having to farm out inmates,” Reagan said. “We cannot have females here at our location here in Clay County, so we definitely farm those out.”

Reagan said the county has worked with USDA, State Fire Marshal’s Office, and TCI to help create a new jail facility.

“Everyone has been real good to work with us and that’s why we’ve got to try our very best,” Reagan said. “God be our helper and everything to put forth a good-faith effort to try and make this come to fruition.”

No timeline was given for when the facility may be completed. Reagan said the county is working with architects to create a budget for the project.

The proposed location for the new jail is located along Highway 53.