The Cleanest, Nicest, Most Modern Facility That You'll NEVER Want to Visit......

The very close to completed, brand new $140 Million Dollar Escambia County Jail is a massive, clean, and modern facility.  In fact, it is probably-undoubtedly- the cleanest, nicest, most modern, facility that you'd NEVER want to visit...

Circuit Court Judge Gary Bergosh, right,
tours our newly constructed Jail facility
Wednesday, January 27th 2021

No, you certainly don't want to visit this new, sleek, nicely-designed, technology-infused Escambia County facility once it is open for business in the next 30-45 days unless you are an employee here OR you happen to be touring the facility (which is why I was there yesterday evening).  

Staff had invited me to tour the facility along with Circuit Court Judges Tom Dannheisser and Gary Bergosh.

Along for the walkthrough Wednesday evening were County Facilities Director Cassie Boatwright, County Public Information Officer Laura Coale, as well as Commander Scott Nash, Captain Shawn Hankins, and Lt. Jason Walker from the Escambia County Corrections Department.  The project manager and supervisors from our construction contractor Whitesell Green-Caddell were also present to answer questions and guide us safetly through the still "technically" under-construction facility (thus the hard-hats, safety glasses and vests for all visitors). 

Inmate POD area in Escambia County's new
Correctional Facility 1-27-2021

(NOTE:For multiple valid reasons--most notably the COVID-19 Pandemic and the devastating impact that has had on worker availability and the acquisition of the necessary, specialty supplies--the actual final completion of this jail will wind up being nearly 12 months behind schedule....)

But after the last year we have all endured and lived--a one-year delay in many respects feels like good fortune!

As we walked the various spaces of this four-story, 303,000SF facility--including holding cells, pods, intake areas, galley/kitchen, infirmary, staff spaces, and exterior areas--the correction's employees were quick to answer questions and to point out all the attributes of the facility.

Intake area in Escambia County's new
Correctional Facility 1-27-2021

Director Boatwright spoke to the size of this facility compared to other district buildings. "This will be the second largest county facility at 303,000 SF once it is completed, just behind the Judicial Complex that is 330,000SF."

Lt. Walker, who led the tour and did most of the talking, seemed enthusiastic about the facility coming online next month and housing inmates starting in April.  "This project has been 'my baby' for the last 5 years and it is great to have been able to watch it grow up out of the ground into what it is today" he remarked.

We spent nearly an hour and a half going through the new jail--from the front entrance to the fourth floor to the first appearance area to the video visitation area--- and just about every space in between.

I was impressed with the infusion of technology incorporated into the design. (some pictures I took on the visit cannot even be shared on this post for fear some of the technological features could be compromised).  This facility actually has nearly 700 Closed-circuit cameras installed that will cover nearly every space in the jail--with the exception of toilet and shower areas.  It will be totally covered with cameras, monitors, and technological capabilities that will make it safe and secure.

But it will be more than just a secure facility;  it will also have more to offer for inmates.

"Look, jail is not supposed to be comfortable--and it isn't and it won't be comfortable being in jail.  But this facility has more things to keep the inmates occupied--which is good for them and for the officers" said Commander Scott Nash.

He was referring to the outdoor recreation areas in each pod, the common areas, the iPads which will be available for inmates to rent for watching movies, the TV's, family video visitation areas, telephones, books, and games that will be available for the jail occupants.

Kitchen/Galley area in Escambia County's new
Correctional Facility 1-27-2021

Lt. Walker chimed in "95 percent of the inmates get with the program and just want to do their time and get out--and if we can keep their time occupied it is good for all of us."

Being who I am and how I think though--I asked about the 5% that cause trouble.  I asked to see the "hole" or wherever/whatever solitary confinement cell they had looked like.

"We don't have a solitary confinement hole here" Commander Nash quickly pointed out.

"We deal with the 5% of troublemakers by taking privileges away as their misbehavior increases/escalates." state Walker.  "That can be effective in curbing the behavior sometimes." he continued.

My big question was about the open, unsecured guard station(s) inside of the PODs in the common, day use areas.

"Won't this put the officers in danger--being exposed and alone in an area with as many as 60 inmates?" I asked?

Guard station in a POD in Escambia County's new
Correctional Facility 1-27-2021

Lt. Walker came back with a resounding, reassuring response. "No it won't.  We have protocols in place for officer safety, and the officers work with the inmates to keep the behavior in check.   It is all about communication and getting them to trust you and work with you---and these open stations are safe and effective--they work very well" he concluded.

Inmate POD area in Escambia County's new
Correctional Facility 1-27-2021

There is no doubt that this facility is first rate and modern.  It is really quite amazing.  And although it is hard to get excited about a jail--as a commissioner who was a part of making this happen I take satisfaction and pride in what this will be once it is operational.  It will be a safe and secure place for our employees and our citizens who end up confined within its walls.  But most importantly--it will allow us to once again be self-sufficient and not reliant on Walton County (or anyone else) to house a large number of our inmates.  

And bringing the inmates back to Escambia County starting this April will save Escambia County taxpayers $Millions of dollars yearly!  That is, in and of itself, reason to be excited about getting this jail open for business!