Jefferson County Jail Expansion, Renovation Underway

BROOKVILLE, Pa. — Construction is underway on an about $8 million renovation and expansion project to the Jefferson County Jail in Brookville.

The project is currently in Phase I, which includes the addition of a new cellblock that will allow the jail to house 175 inmates as opposed to the current maximum capacity of 157. New Kensington, Pa.-based Arcon Contracting Inc. is serving as the construction manager on the project, according to EYT Media Group. Uniontown, Pa.-based Hranec Sheet Metal will provide HVAC work; Kittanning, Pa.-based Enders Plumbing will provide plumbing work; and Meadville, Pa.-based Cox & Kanyuck Electric will provide electrical work.

The construction work on the Jefferson County Jail is necessary for the county and will likely save the county money in the long term since the current modular unit is nearing the end of its life cycle and would need extensive repairs to bring it up to standards, Jefferson County Commissioner Paul Corbin told EYT Media Group last summer when bids for the project were awarded.

Construction on Phase I is scheduled for completion in spring 2017. Once completed, the inmates currently housed in the modular unit will move to the cellblock. The modular unit will then be replaced with a hard building that should last several decades, reported WJAC, a local TV news station.

The second phase of the expansion project will include program areas, special cells and office areas. The jail currently offers two Bible classes, a church service, GED classes for inmates under 18 years old, an AA program as well as drug, alcohol and mental health counseling for eligible inmates. However, once Phase II is completed, the jail will be able to accommodate additional programming, reported the Jeffersonian Democrat.