(InEDC) BY STAFF Published: September 15, 2023
In a unanimous decision, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors approved a $40.5 million expansion project for the Placerville jail. District 3 Supervisor Wendy Thomas emphasized the necessity of the project during the meeting. The contract for the project was awarded to Roebbelen Contracting Inc., with a majority of the funding coming from a $25 million Senate Bill 844 grant received in 2017 and $15.5 million from the county’s Designated Capital Reserves.
The project will start with the design phase and construction is expected to begin in mid-2024, with completion anticipated in late 2025. The current Placerville jail, built in the mid-1980s, is not equipped to handle the changing needs of inmate populations. Sheriff Jeff Leikauf highlighted challenges faced by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Custody Division, including inadequate space for female inmates, inmates with mental health issues, and compliance issues with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Captain Tasha Thompson, assigned to the EDSO Custody Division, emphasized the 24/7, year-round operation of the jails, which serve as two small cities. She discussed the need to meet inmates’ basic needs and the increase in the female inmate population, necessitating additional medical care and housing units. The expansion project, located adjacent to the current facility, will not increase capacity but will utilize the available space more efficiently. The project will also add seven correctional officers and a correctional supervisor to the staff.
The expansion will include separate and secure housing areas for female inmates, housing for the mentally ill, spaces for medical treatment and services, and improved recreational yards and inmate programming/classroom space. It will also provide operational space for re-entry programs and additional visiting space for attorneys and professionals. The delays in the project were attributed to working with multiple state agencies and conflicting information from these agencies.
Supervisor John Hidahl raised concerns about the delay in utilizing the state grant and the rising construction costs. Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Laura Schwartz explained the difficulties in working with five partnering agencies and the challenges caused by COVID-19, supply chain issues, and increased construction costs. Despite the increase in costs, Chuck Harrell from the county’s Facilities Division assured that the design of the project was carefully considered to meet all necessary requirements while eliminating unnecessary expenses.
Supervisor Lori Parlin expressed her satisfaction with the progress of the project and moved to award the construction contract, which was approved by all board members. Both supervisors and members of the public acknowledged the need for the jail expansion and considered it long overdue.
