WEBSTER PARISH, La. (KSLA) – A new facility to accommodate female inmates is being constructed on Penal Farm Road in Minden, marking a significant improvement over the existing women’s jail located on the 4th floor of the courthouse. This current facility, which has served its purpose for approximately 70 years, is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain due to its outdated plumbing and electrical systems.
Webster Parish officials report that the existing jail requires frequent repairs, leading to rising costs for taxpayers. “The plumbing is old. The electrical is old. We needed to get this jail out of the courthouse,” stated Jim Bonsall, President of the Webster Parish Police Jury.
The new prison aims not only to provide updated and efficient living conditions but also to enhance educational resources for inmates. The facility will include a classroom environment intended to offer educational programs that could improve the prospects of incarcerated women.
“It’s time for an improvement,” said Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker. “This will help create better living conditions and open up educational opportunities for them.”
The construction project has an estimated cost of $5.12 million, and work is underway with the next phase focusing on the installation of individual cells. This new facility will accommodate around 65 women, roughly the same capacity as the current jail, which primarily houses inmates charged with non-violent offenses.
Sheriff Parker emphasized the financial benefits of this upgrade: “I think it’s going to save the taxpayers a lot of money once we get this thing built because the police jury is not going to have to invest a lot of money in fixing the plumbing issues up there or drainage.”
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