Corrections Connections

Correctional News

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Welcome to Corrections Connections, the exclusive podcast from Correctional News. Join us as we sit down with leaders across the justice community—from owners and operators to AEC firms and vendors—to discuss the latest news, projects, trends, and innovative ideas shaping the industry. Hear from the most sought-after experts, get real-world insights, and enjoy engaging conversations. https://correctionalnews.com/

4D AGO

Weekly Connections April 6th 2026

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of April 6. Let's get started with project updates: Commissioners in Flathead County, Mont., finalized an owner's representative agreement with In2itive Architecture to oversee construction of the new $93.5 million Flathead County Jail, with construction expected to begin June 1. Officials in Deschutes County, Ore., said the new $48.4 million Deschutes County Circuit Courthouse is about three-quarters complete, with a ribbon-cutting targeted for August. The first phase of renovations has been approved for the 1,200-bed Dougherty County Jail in Georgia, starting with roughly $11 million for security and HVAC upgrades. The Grant County Council in Indiana held a public meeting to discuss options for its detention facilities, ranging from a $98 million renovation to building a new $127 million jail. Sheriff Mark Herford of Beauregard Parish, La., has proposed building a new 500-bed jail, which could cost approximately $10 million if a sales tax continuation passes. The Planning Commission in Kern County, Calif., approved permits for a new expansion at the James G. Bowles Youth Detention Center. Next, in legislation and funding: President Donald Trump is seeking $152 million in the 2027 Federal Bureau of Prisons fiscal year budget to reopen the Alcatraz Prison as a secure detention facility. Moving on to people news: The Iowa Department of Corrections has named Janie Mendez as the new warden of the Iowa State Penitentiary. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced four appointments to the state's Correctional Managed Healthcare Committee. Next up in construction reports: Pierce County, Wash., has issued an RFQ to architecture firms for pre-design and architectural services for a renovation of the county's jail, with bids due April 29. Pierce County is also seeking qualified architecture firms to design and construct a new juvenile justice center, with bids due April 29. Pryor Morrow, on behalf of Lee County, Miss., is seeking precast detention cell providers for its new $97.8 million Lee County Adult Detention Center project, with bids due May 5. Meigs County, Tenn., has issued an RFQ to architectural and engineering firms to address the county's detention facility capacity needs, with bids due May 11. And finishing up with events: The National Commission on Correctional Health Care's Spring Conference on Correctional Health Care is scheduled for April 18–21 in New Orleans. The International Corrections and Prisons Association's first Prison Technology and Design Conference will take place in Rabat, Morocco from April 21–24. For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.

9 min
MAR 30

Weekly Connections March 30th, 2026

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of March 30. This episode is brought to you by Cortech, a family-owned, American-made manufacturer of molded furnishings for correctional environments. Contact them at 1-800-571-0770 or visit Cortechusa.com. Let's get into it with project updates: Commissioners in Stearns County, Minn., approved the majority of construction contracts for the new Stearns County Justice Center, with the construction budget now estimated at $291 million.In Montgomery County, Texas, commissioners have voted to move forward with a plan to construct a new $250 million, 7-story county courthouse.A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new $46 million Ector County Juvenile Justice Center in Texas, with completion expected in late 2027.Officials in Humphreys County, Tenn., have broken ground on the new Humphreys County Law Enforcement Center, which will house a 178-bed jail. Moving on to legislation and funding: Leaders in Shawano County, Wis., have unanimously voted to approve borrowing up to $121 million to fund the design and construction of a new county courthouse and jail.The New Hampshire Executive Council has voted to pause an almost $36 million contract with DLR Group to design and initiate construction on a new 1,500-bed men's prison. Next, in people news: South Dakota Department of Corrections Secretary Nick Lamb has appointed Eric Aldridge to serve as the first Warden of the Rapid City Correctional Facility.New York City Department of Correction Commissioner Stanley Richards appointed Margaret Egan as the agency's First Deputy Commissioner. Moving on to construction reports: The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tenn., is seeking proposals from contractors for the design and construction of a replacement correctional facility, with bids due April 16.The Town of Plymouth, Mass. has issued an RFP for consultants to provide a feasibility study on consolidating the Plymouth Fire and Police Departments, with proposals due April 21. And finishing up with events: The National Commission on Correctional Health Care's Spring Conference on Correctional Health Care will take place in New Orleans from April 18–21.The International Corrections and Prisons Association's Prison Technology and Design Conference is scheduled for April 21–24 in Rabat, Morocco.For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.

8 min
MAR 23

Weekly Connections March 23rd, 2026

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of March 23. This episode is brought to you by Cortech, a family-owned, American-made manufacturer of molded furnishings for correctional environments. Contact them at 1-800-571-0770 or visit cortechusa.com. Let's get started with project updates: Leaders in Williamson County, Tenn., broke ground on a new 114,900-square-foot juvenile justice center, with construction expected to be completed in the summer of 2028. A new $105 million justice center and jail in Hamblen County, Tenn., is officially open and operational. Officials in Milwaukee County, Wis., recently shared new renderings for its new $500 million public safety building, with groundbreaking planned for 2029. The Henderson County Board of Commissioners in North Carolina voted to approve a $101 million project to expand the Henderson County Courthouse. Commissioners in Union County, N.C., are considering four options, ranging from $178 million to $216 million, to expand capacity at the Union County Detention Center. Antrim County, Mich., officials released a report estimating its new public safety center to cost $32.7 million, about $5.2 million higher than anticipated. Moving on to legislation and funding: North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has requested that the state's General Assembly pass a budget that would give state law enforcement $211 million in funding to help raise starting salaries. Up next in people news: Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections Director Annette Chambers-Smith announced she will be leaving the department for a role in Gov. Mike DeWine's office, effective March 28. Dennis R. Patterson Sr. has been named the new Deputy Director for Operations for the South Carolina Department of Corrections. The Virginia Department of Corrections has launched a nationwide search for the agency's next Deputy Director for Institutions, with an application deadline of April 17. Moving on to construction reports: Wharton County, Texas has issued an RFP for CMAR firms to build a new Sheriff's Office and Jail building, with bids due April 15. The Norman Police Department in Oklahoma is seeking consulting firms to provide a facility condition assessment and space needs analysis, with proposals due May 15. Commissioners in Scioto County, Ohio are seeking bids for a security system retrofit project at the Scioto County Jail, with bids due April 2. And finishing up with events: The Correctional Leaders Association Spring Deputy Directors and Probation and Parole Conference is currently underway in Hilton Head, S.C., and will run through March 27. Next month, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care's Spring Conference on Correctional Health Care will take place in New Orleans from April 18–21. For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.

9 min
MAR 16

Weekly Connections March 16th, 2026

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of March 16th. This episode is brought to you by Cortech, a family-owned, American-made manufacturer of molded furnishings for correctional environments. Contact them at 1-800-571-0770 or visit cortechusa.com. Let's get into it with project updates: The newly completed $514 million Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento Superior Courthouse will open in phases starting at the end of this month.Commissioners in Oklahoma County, Okla., have voted to move forward with the next phase of its new jail project, unlocking approximately $260 million of already approved funding.The Madison County Commission in Alabama has selected Goodwin Mills Cawood to serve as the Architect of Record for the county's upcoming $100 million new courthouse project.Officials in Island County, Wash., began hosting a series of meetings to discuss potential sites for a new adult and juvenile detention facility, with options ranging from $88.8 million to $100.7 million.Commissioners in Penobscot County, Maine, have released initial floor plans for a proposed new jail that would cost between $70 million and $75 million.The Camden County Board of Commissioners in New Jersey celebrated the opening of the new Camden County Department of Corrections Reentry Release Center. Up next in legislation and funding: Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has proposed a $523 million budget for the Alaska Department of Corrections for the next fiscal year.Legislation advanced by Iowa House lawmakers last week would create a new account within the Iowa Prison Infrastructure Fund for future correctional facility needs. Moving on to people news: Guy Mellozzi has joined HOK's Civic and Justice team as the new Director of Business Development. Next, in construction reports: Shelby County, Ala., is seeking bids from vendors to provide a new jail management system at the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Facility, with bids due March 24.The Hawaii Department of Accounting and General Services is seeking bids for the construction of a new floor of housing and a consolidated healthcare unit at the Halawa Correctional Facility, with bids due April 2.The Town of Estes Park, Colo., has issued an RFP to architecture and engineering firms for a new public safety facility, with proposals due April 8. And finishing up with events: The International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association's 2026 Conference and Expo opened in St. Louis on Monday and will run through Saturday.Next week, the Correctional Leaders Association heads to Hilton Head, S.C., for its annual Spring Deputy Directors and Probation and Parole Conference from March 24–27. For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.

9 min
MAR 9

Weekly Connections March 9th, 2026

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of March 9. This episode is brought to you by Cortech, a family-owned, American-made manufacturer of molded furnishings for correctional environments. Contact them at 1-800-571-0770 or visit cortechusa.com. Let's get started with project updates: This month, a new 32-bed secure residential juvenile correctional center is set to open in Milwaukee County, Wis. Demolition of the former Teton County Courthouse in Wyoming began this week, clearing the way for construction of a new $88 million Justice Center. The Grayson County Jail Expansion Project in Texas is nearing the final phases of construction and is expected to be completed in September or October. Officials in Fort Bend County, Texas broke ground on a new juvenile vocational training center, with the $2 million project expected to be completed by early 2027. The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities has added 30 new beds at the West Central Georgia Regional Hospital for people with severe mental health issues. Moving on to legislation and funding: In Minnesota, Sherburne County will push forward a new sales tax and take out a 20-year bond to raise $45.5 million to replace a portion of the Sherburne County Jail. Next, in people news: Betsy Fox Tolentino has been appointed as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. Wyoming Department of Corrections Director Daniel Shannon has appointed Shawn Hobson as Warden of the Wyoming State Penitentiary. Up next in construction reports: Cochise County, Ariz., has issued an RFQ for firms to provide design-build criteria architect services for a new county jail, with bids due April 2. Rockingham County, N.C., is seeking proposals for security system upgrades at the Rockingham County Justice Center, with proposals due April 6. San Diego County, Calif., is seeking proposals from CMAR firms for the East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility upgrade project, with bids due April 14. And finishing this week with events: There's still time to register for "The Facility Factor: How Your Building is Driving Turnover and Liability," a free live webinar from Correctional News this Thursday, March 12 at 1 p.m. Eastern. Next week, the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association's 2026 Conference and Expo will open in St. Louis from March 16–21. Later this month, the Correctional Leaders Association Spring Deputy Directors and Probation and Parole Conference will be held in Hilton Head, S.C., from March 24–27. For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.

9 min
MAR 2

Weekly Connections March 2nd, 2026

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of March 2. Let's get started with project updates: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and other state officials broke ground on the new $147 million Maryland Supreme Court building, with project completion expected in early 2029. Governor Moore Highlights Generational Investment in Maryland's Judicial System at State-of-the-Art Supreme Court GroundbreakingThe Lee County Board of Supervisors in Mississippi has approved design plans for a new adult detention center, with a project cost starting at $97.8 million. Lee County Officials Take Next Step in Adult Detention Center ConstructionConstruction is progressing on the new $62.5 million Pender County Law Enforcement Center project in North Carolina, with completion expected later this year. Pender County Building 103,000-Square-Foot Law Enforcement Center With 232-bed JailThe DeKalb County Commission in Tennessee voted to approve $35 million in funding to build a new 182-bed jail in Smithville. Commission Votes on $35 Million Jail FundingIn Bucks County, Pa., a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the new $19.8 million Diversion, Assessment, Restoration and Treatment (DART) Center. Bucks County Unveils Completed DART Mental Health CenterLater this month, a new 72,000-square-foot expansion of the Wayne County, Ohio Jail will open, increasing the county's capacity from 80 to 200 beds. Wayne County Marks Opening of New Jail Up next in legislation and funding: Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry is seeking an additional $82 million in funding for the state's corrections department in the next fiscal-year budget. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry Proposes $82 Million Increase for PrisonsOfficials in Monroe County, Ind., are debating the budget for a new county jail facility, with proposals ranging from $118 million to $170 million. Monroe County Jail Project Focus Shifts to Site, Amid Disagreement on Financing Outlook Moving on to people news: John Murad has been named commissioner of the Vermont Department of Corrections. Jon Murad Named Vermont DOC Commissioner Next, in construction reports: Washington County in Oregon has issued an RFP for architecture and engineering firms to conduct a jail expansion feasibility and visioning study, with proposals due March 13. Questions must be submitted electronically via the OpenGov Procurement Portal. Jail Expansion Feasibility and Visioning StudyGadsden County, Fla., is requesting qualified general contractors to provide CMAR services on the new $17.6 million Gadsden County Public Safety Complex project, with bids due March 24. Direct questions to Brian Yarbrough with Clemons, Rutherford & Associates at 850-385-6153 or byarbrough@craarchitects.com. Gadsden County Board of County CommissionersThe LaFourche Parish Sheriff's Office in Louisiana has issued an RFQ for preconstruction and CMAR services for the new 64-bed River Parishes Regional Juvenile Detention Center, with bids due March 26. Direct question to Bill Petersen with Grace Design Studios at 337-513-0760 or bpetersen@grace-design.com. River Parishes Regional Juvenile Detention Center And finishing up with events: Correctional News is hosting a free live webinar, "The Facility Factor: How Your Building is Driving Turnover and Liability," featuring Felice Upton of Felice Upton Consulting LLC, on March 12. The Facility Factor: How Your Building is Driving Turnover and LiabilityThe International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association's 2026 Conference and Expo will take place March 16–21 in St. Louis. 2026 ILEETA Conference and ExpoThe Correctional Leaders Association's Spring Deputy Directors and Probation and Parole Conference will take place March 24–27 in Hilton Head, S.C. CLA 2026 EventsThe premiere episode of Correctional News's new Corrections Connections docuseries, showcasing New York state's Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, is now available. Corrections Connections Docuseries/Podcast For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.

9 min
MAR 2

People-Centered Progress: Bedford Hills Correctional Facility

The debut episode of the Corrections Connections docuseries goes inside Bedford Hills Correctional Facility — New York’s only maximum-security prison for women — for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the nation’s oldest prison nursery program and the innovative initiatives supporting motherhood, education and successful reentry. In the episode: New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III provides an overview of the nursery program’s history services (1:12)Dr. Althea Taylor, executive director of New York-based nonprofit Hour Children, talks about operating the nursery in partnership with the Department (3:36)Nursery manager Lindsey Daniel and clinical social worker and therapist Lisi Robinson describe how the mothers within the nursery support each other (5:37)Incarcerated mothers share their own views on how the program has impacted them (8:54) and outline the doula training offered within the nursery (10:46)Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison President Sean Pica describes how the educational programs enable incarcerated students to earn degrees and serve as ambassadors to others (15:58)Some of those student ambassadors share their own stories about the fulfillment they get from helping others reach their goals (18:39)Bedford Hills staff and incarcerated women attest to the feelings of hope, pride and accomplishment these programs give them (22:46)

29 min
FEB 23

Weekly Connections February 23rd, 2026

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Feb. 23. Let's get started with project updates: California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other officials opened the new $239 million Learning Center at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. Officials in Camden County, N.J., will search for a new location for a potential $1 billion regional justice complex after Winslow Township opposed the facility being built there. Commissioners in Aroostook County, Maine have entered contract negotiations with SMRT Architects and Engineers for design and architectural services for a new jail. Supervisors in Fond du Lac County, Wis., have reached an agreement with Venture Architects LLC to provide schematic designs for a potential new jail and justice center project. Moving on to legislation and funding: The Georgia Senate passed a $409 million budget line item last week to build a 300-bed forensic psychiatric hospital. The Florida House of Representatives Justice Appropriations Subcommittee approved a measure to allocate approximately $250 million to the state's Department of Corrections for prison development. Louisiana's Office of Juvenile Justice has requested an additional $28 million in state funding during the next budget cycle to provide additional beds across the system. Next, in people news: Professional services firm Dewberry has announced that David J. Mahoney has been named Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1. HDR has announced three promotions within its Civic sector: Jim Aalders to Western Canada Civic Director, Tommy Sinclair to U.S. East Region Civic Director, and Swapnil Ukey to Justice Principal.Correctional News extends its condolences to the family and colleagues of 30-year Utah Department of Corrections employee Sgt. Robert Hill, who died on Feb. 15. Up next in construction reports: The County of San Diego in California has issued an RFP for CMAR services for the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility Upgrades Project, with bids due April 6. The Pennsylvania Department of General Services is seeking proposals for control room, security camera, and other facility upgrades at the State Correctional Institution Pine Grove, with bids due April 7. And finishing off this week with events: Correctional News will host a free live webinar, "The Facility Factor: How Your Building Is Driving Turnover and Liability," on March 12. The International Corrections and Prisons Association's International Research and Corrections Conference will be held March 2–5 in Auckland, New Zealand.The International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association's 2026 Conference and Expo will take place March 16-21 in St. Louis. The Correctional Leaders Association Spring Deputy Directors and Probation and Parole Conference will take place in Hilton Head, South Carolina from March 24–27. For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.

8 min

Welcome to Corrections Connections, the exclusive podcast from Correctional News. Join us as we sit down with leaders across the justice community—from owners and operators to AEC firms and vendors—to discuss the latest news, projects, trends, and innovative ideas shaping the industry. Hear from the most sought-after experts, get real-world insights, and enjoy engaging conversations. https://correctionalnews.com/

Creator

Correctional News
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

51
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Copyright 2026 Correctional News
Show Website

Corrections Connections