Jail Cells Visible As Next Step Begins On Putnam Jail Addition

With the majority of underground and foundation work complete, building erection for the Putnam County Jail addition has begun.

Sheriff Eddie Farris said prefabricated walls and jail cells will now be placed via crane.

“Before we started this project, we flew and went to several locations and looked at how some of the newer facilities were being built,” Farris said. “Things that were being used in pre-fab on these jail walls and jail cells is one of the things that was new to us. We choose to go that route, and I’m certainly glad we did.”

The construction process creates a unique opportunity to see a full jail cell. Farris said if you drive by the Justice Center, you can see four floors of jail cells already stacked at the northwest corner of the addition.

“Those things are very heavy,” Farris said. “You see the size of the crane out there. Several thousands of pounds. We are pleased with how things are going.”

Farris said some 700 pieces in total will be set by crane. Farris described the building process as a lego set being placed together.

“Just there on Locust 18-wheeler trucks are bringing those pieces in,” Farris said. “If you noticed, they are staging at our other property just east in the parking lot. They are all numbered and have to be put together in a certain order.”

The overall project is set to be completed in May of 2024. It adds approximately 500 new beds making a total of 752 beds with the option of adding an additional 200 beds later.