Dallas Co. Commission approves county jail construction

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

The Dallas Co. Commission votes to approve a bid for the final phase of construction to repair the county jail.

The Dallas County Jail has been out of commission now for more than three years.

“Hopefully, I would say in the next 14 to 18 months, you’ll see a new jail in Dallas County,” said Sheriff Mike Granthum.

“It’s been down since the tornado hit us in 2023,” Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn.

The county commission approved a bid for the final phase of construction to repair the jail — at a special called meeting Friday morning.

It also authorized the commission chairman — Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn — to negotiate with the contractor concerning the bid price.

“We only had one bid but it came in around about 21 million,” said Nunn.

“So, we will negotiate and try to get that price down a little bit. It would cost a whole lot more to build a new jail of that size that would hold about 350 inmates.”

Officials say the county not having it’s own facility in which to house inmates has put a considerable strain on the county budget.

“It’s expensive when you don’t have a jail. We’ve had inmates from the Tennessee line to Mobile County. You still have to take then to doctor’s appointments, you still have to take them to court appearances,” said Granthum.

“It’s wear and tear on vehicles, overtime, gas prices. So, it’s an expense that accumulates each and every month that actually takes money away from the brick and mortar part of the jail.”

Nunn says the process of repairing the jail has been a long one — there now appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

“This will be a turn key,” Nunn said.

“Once they complete the project we will be able to walk into the jail and put our inmates back into the jail.”

Selma-based Steward Construction Company was awarded the bid for the construction.