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/

6D AGO

Weekly Connections February 9th, 2026

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Feb. 9. Let's get started with project updates: Commissioners in Flathead County, Mont., have hired In2itive Architecture to serve as the owner's representative on the Flathead County Jail project, with groundbreaking tentatively planned for late May or early June. A new Career Technology Center offering educational and vocational opportunities has opened at the Ralph C. Starkey High School on the campus of the Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility in Ohio. Construction is progressing on a new jail for the Choctaw County Sheriff's Department in Mississippi, with completion expected in the fall. Next, in legislation and funding: A jail committee has been formed in Greenlee County, Ariz., to consider options for building a new county jail, with costs estimated up to $30 million. The County Corrections Professional Standards Council in Maine is recommending that the state increase its annual share of funding for county jails by $8 million. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has requested $1.1 billion in emergency funding, including $24.1 million for the state's Department of Corrections. Next, in people news: Architecture and engineering firm DLZ Corporation has announced that Ram Rajadhyaksha has been named the company's president. Virginia Gove. Abigail Spanberger has appointed Jermiah "Jerry" Fitz as the Chief Deputy Director of the Virginia Department of Corrections. The National Sheriffs’ Association has named Montgomery County, Ala., Sheriff Derrick Cunningham as the 2026 Sheriff of the Year. The Sheriff's Office in Bibb County, Ga., has appointed Brannon Grace as Major, where he will oversee day-to-day jail operations. Moving on to construction reports: Victoria County, Texas is seeking subcontractors and suppliers for the Victoria County Mental and Behavioral Health Facility Project, with bids due Feb. 17. The City of Balch Springs, Texas has issued an RFP for firms to provide integrated security solutions across city facilities, with bids due Feb. 26. The City of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania is accepting bids for the construction of a new two-story building for the Lock Haven City Police Department, with bids due Feb. 19. And finishing up with events: The International Corrections and Prisons Association will host its International Research in Corrections Conference in Auckland, New Zealand from March 2–5. The International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association will hold its annual conference in St. Louis from March 16–21. span...

9 min
FEB 2

Weekly Connections February 2nd, 2026

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Feb. 2. Let's get started with project updates: A change order for a geothermal system has pushed the price tag for the new Cuyahoga County, Ohio jail project to $962 million. Construction is expected to begin this spring.Construction is progressing on the new Warrick County, Ind., Sheriff's Office and Security Center project, with completion and opening slated for the spring.A $21 million renovation project at the Benton County Juvenile Justice Center in Washington state is nearing completion.A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the recently completed $70 million expansion at the Baldwin County Sheriff's Corrections Center in Alabama. Next in Legislation and Funding: Colorado lawmakers approved $2.4 million in mid-year funding for 788 additional state prison beds after initially blocking the request.Commissioners in Comal County, Texas are considering expansion plans for its jail, with costs ranging from $75 million to $174 million.Voters in Clinton County, Mo., will weigh in on a proposal to build a new detention center and renovate the county's courtrooms, which will appear on the April ballot. Moving on to People News: A federal judge has appointed Correctional News Editorial Advisory Board member Nicholas Deml to assume control over major decisions at the Rikers Island jail complex.New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani has appointed Stanley Richards as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction.Bicycle Health has announced that Rick Dean has joined the company as its new Chief Executive Officer. Next in Construction Reports: Liberty County, Texas is seeking a CMAR to build a new 600-bed county jail with a $100 million budget, with bids due Feb. 20.Santa Barbara County, Calif., is seeking bids from contractors to remodel three housing units at the Santa Maria Juvenile Justice Center, with bids due Feb. 17.Augusta-Richmond County, Ga., has issued an RFP for CMAR services for the county's Juvenile Justice Center project, with bids due Feb. 24. And wrapping it up with events: The American Correctional Association's Winter Conference and the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators Winter Meeting will take place in Long Beach, Calif., from Feb. 5–8. Also, a correction was issued for the Jan. 19 episode: J.E. Dunn is the builder on the Pueblo County, Colo., jail project, not Layton Construction. For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our...

9 min
JAN 26

Weekly Connections January 26th 2026

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Jan. 26. Let's get started with project updates: The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners in Michigan recently proposed a new facilities master plan, including a $150 million upgrade of the county's jail and sheriff's office.Construction of a new $85 million courthouse expansion in Morris County, N.J., is underway and is expected to take 24 months to complete.A new $21 million jail is nearing completion in Evangeline Parish, La., with an official ribbon cutting planned for the spring.In Island County, Wash., commissioners are gathering public input on plans for a new county jail, with three options ranging in cost from $88.8 million to $100.7 million. Moving on to legislation and funding: Funding to rebuild or renovate the Hutchinson Correctional Facility in Kansas has been left out of the latest budget proposed by Gov. Laura Kelly.Colorado's Joint Budget Committee rejected a request from the Colorado Department of Corrections for an additional $2.4 million in funding to add 788 prison beds.Commissioners in Stevens County, Wash., are scaling back on plans to build a new jail and courtroom facility, saying the project is too costly to proceed. Next In People news: Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has appointed Joseph Walters to serve as director of the Virginia Department of Corrections.CGL Companies announced that Diane Bruining has returned to the company as Vice President, Business Development. And now for construction reports: Orange County, Calif., is seeking Progressive Design-Build services for Phase two of its Juvenile Rehabilitation Campus Redevelopment project, with bids due Feb. 25.Hood County, Texas has issued an RFQ for a construction management and owner's agent for a $24 million jail expansion project, with bids due Feb. 9.The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice has issued an RFP for security renovations to two evaluation and development center facilities, with bids due Feb. 12. And wrapping up this week with events: The American Correctional Association's Winter Conference and the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators Winter Meeting will take place Feb. 5–8 in Long Beach, Calif. For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.

8 min
JAN 19

Weekly Connections January 19th 2026

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Jan. 19. Let's get started with project updates: The new $150 million Pueblo County, Colo., detention center project is on track for completion and opening in April.Construction on a new temporary jail in Kansas City, Mo., is officially underway, with the now $25 million project expected to be completed by June 1.Work on the new $176 million Chambers County, Texas Justice Center Complex project is halfway complete and is expected to be finished by the end of this year.A ribbon cutting ceremony was held last week at the new $44 million Butte County, Calif., jail expansion, concluding a 16-year process.The intake center at the Santa Barbara County, Calif., Main Jail will be renovated after officials approved $6.3 million in project funding last week. Moving on to Legislation and Funding: Officials in Ohio authorized $130 million in funding last week to build a total of four new 36-bed youth detention facilities.The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction received $2 million in grant funding to support education, job training and reentry services for incarcerated individuals. Next in people news: Dr. Mariel A. Marlow has joined the American Correctional Association as its Director of Correctional Health.Diane Bruining has rejoined CGL Companies as Vice President of Business Development.The Federal Bureau of Prisons named Patrick Mirandy as the new Director of the National Institute of Corrections.Brant Smith has been named Vice President and General Manager of Tindall Building Systems -Mississippi. Now for Construction Reports: Finney County, Kan., is seeking proposals from construction management firms to build a new county jail, with bids due Jan. 30.The Liberty County Board of Commissioners and Sheriff's Office in Georgia has issued an RFQ for CMAR firms to build a new public safety center, with bids due Feb. 13.Hardee County, Fla., has issued an RFQ for architecture and engineering services for a new jail and multipurpose government facility, with bids due Feb. 27. And finishing up with events: The American Correctional Association's Winter Conference and the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators’ Winter Meeting will take place Feb. 5–8 in Long Beach, Calif.Proposals for the National Commission on Correctional Health Care's Mental Health Care conference are due Feb. 13, and proposals for its National Conference are due March 6.span class="ql-ui"...

9 min
JAN 12

Weekly Connections January 12th 2026

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Jan. 12. Let's get started with project updates: The Lancaster County, Pa., Board of Commissioners released preliminary designs for a new prison with cost estimates ranging from $434 million to $497 million.Officials with the Acadiana Regional Juvenile Justice District in Louisiana have proposed building a new $75 million, 96-bed juvenile justice facility.DLZ Architects presented conceptual renderings of a new $30 million jail to commissioners in Ashtabula County, Ohio.The Cape Girardeau County, Mo., jail renovation project is on track, with renovation work expected to be completed by the fall. Moving on to legislation and funding: Commissioners in Oklahoma County, Okla., have proposed a permanent sales tax to support a new jail and other public safety operations, which could be on the April 7 election ballot.Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll have awarded $234,000 in grant funding to improve career and technical education programs in correctional facilities. Next in People news: Willo Products Company has promoted Russell Roberts to Chief Executive Officer.JE Dunn has hired Sean Ahern as Client Solutions Director for the West Region.Nadia Privara Brahms has been appointed as San Diego County's Behavioral Health Services Director.Joanne Lynds has joined the Rhode Island Department of Corrections as Assistant Director of Rehabilitative Services. Now for construction reports: Construction Manager Ajax Building Company is accepting bids for the construction of a new Judicial Justice Center in Alachua County, Fla., with bids due Jan. 29.Kraus-Anderson Construction and Contegrity Group are seeking prime contractor bids for the new $308 million Stearns County Justice Center in Minnesota, with bids due Feb. 5. And finishing it off with Events: The National Commission on Correctional Health Care is accepting presentation proposals for its Correctional Mental Health Care Conference (due Feb. 13) and its National Conference on Correctional Healthcare (due March 6).The American Correctional Association's Winter Conference will take place next month in Long Beach, Calif., from February 5–8.The Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators will also hold its Winter meeting in conjunction with the ACA Winter Conference.Registration is open for the International Corrections and Prisons Association's inaugural Prison Design and Technology Conference in Rabat, Morocco, from April...

8 min
JAN 5

Weekly Connections January 5th 2026

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of January 5, 2026. Let's get into it with Project updates: Plans for a new jail in Dallas County, Texas, are moving forward, with initial cost estimates between $3 billion and $5 billion, though the project could take up to a decade to complete.The design phase for a new 200-bed detention center in Flathead County, Mont., is underway, with officials hoping to start construction this year on the estimated $93.5 million project.Colbert County, Ala., Sheriff Eric Balentine said that construction of the county's new $35 million jail and administration building is ahead of schedule and expected to be complete in 20 months.An open house will be held this week to mark the opening of the new Koochiching County Jail and Law Enforcement Center in International Falls, Minn. Moving on to legislation and funding: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has awarded $5.3 million in grants for substance use disorder treatment in correctional facilities across the state.Funding to address much-needed improvements at the aging jail in St. Louis County, Mo., was not included in the county's 2026 budget, despite an ACA audit revealing significant issues. Next in People news: DLR Group has named Justice + Civic Project Manager and Senior Associate Alexander Straughn as the company's Orlando office leader.Correctional Healthcare Partners has appointed Dr. Olatunde Oshikoya as its Director of MAT Services and Rapid Response.Drone detection and aerospace security company Airsight announced that Nick Glasnapp will be the company's Director of Sales for the Central Region.Correctional News sends condolences to the family of industry veteran Bob Tointon, who passed away on Dec. 27 at the age of 92. Next In Construction reports: The Cole County Commission in Missouri is seeking specialty contractors and suppliers for the new $14 million Cole County Juvenile Center project, with bids due Jan. 20.The Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works has issued an RFP for design-build services for a new juvenile court community correctional facility, with proposals due Jan. 29.The Minnesota Department of Administration is accepting bids for security system upgrades at the Minnesota Correctional Facility at Shakopee, with bids due Feb. 3. And closing out with events: The American Correctional Association's winter conference will take place in Long Beach, Calif., from Feb. 5-8. For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at a...

8 min
12/29/2025

Weekly Connections December 29th, 2025

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Dec. 29. Let's get into it with Project Updates: In Ector County, Texas, plans for a new $200 million courthouse are moving forward after county commissioners approved a preliminary design, with completion expected by the end of 2029.Officials in Cheatham County, Tenn., held an open house to mark the completion of phase I of the Cheatham County Jail Renovation and expansion project. Phase II is expected to be complete next summer.A new women's detention and work release center, built in a renovated former Dollar General store in Fayette County, Ind., is now complete and will open early next year.The new Greene County Justice Center in upstate New York is back on track for completion by March of next year. Moving on to legislation and funding: A new supplemental budget proposal from Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson would provide almost $12 million in additional funding to improve staffing and security at two juvenile rehabilitation facilities.Miami County, Ohio commissioners have requested for a bond measure to fund the construction of a new county jail to be included on the May election ballot.Officials in Belknap County, N.H., are considering including funds for a new jail study in the county's budget, with a new facility estimated at $50 million. Next in people news: Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has appointed Eric Strauss as director of the Montana Department of Corrections. He will assume the role on Jan. 6. Moving on to construction reports: The city of Berkeley, Calif., is soliciting bids for jail automation upgrades at the city's public safety building, with bids due Jan. 8.The Kentucky Division of Engineering and Contract Administration is seeking contractors for the Fayette Regional Juvenile Detention Center retrofit project, with bids due Jan. 27.The Ada County Sheriff's Office in Oklahoma has issued an RFI to qualified vendors for a door control and security integration project at the Ada County Jail facility, with responses due Jan. 29. And wrapping up with Events: This is the last week for justice architects to submit their firm's information for inclusion in Correctional News' 2026 Justice Architecture List, with a deadline of Jan. 2.The American Correctional Association's winter conference will take place Feb. 5–8 in Long Beach, Calif. For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at a...

7 min
12/22/2025

Weekly Connections December 22nd, 2025

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Dec. 22. Let's get into it with project updates: A new youth correctional facility will be built in Fitchburg, Wis., after $130 million in funding was awarded. Construction is expected to start next September.The Macon-Bibb County Commission in Georgia signed a contract with Warren Associates Inc. to begin pre-construction work for an upgrade project at the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center, which is expected to cost between $28.5 million and $31 million.The ribbon was cut last week at the new $24.7 million Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court facility in Staunton, Va.Commissioners in Liberty County, Texas entered into an agreement with DRG Architects to design a new county jail, estimated to cost about $100 million.The Corpus Christi City Council approved a $4.85 million contract with South Texas Building Partners to construct a new city detention center, with construction starting in January. Moving on to legislation and funding: New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a new prison bill into law last week aimed at improving safety, security and accountability within the state's correctional system.Last week, the U.S. Congress approved the Safer Skies Act, which authorizes law enforcement and correctional officers to address the threat of unauthorized drones.Two lawmakers in Arizona have called on the state to allot $1.5 million to fund the newly created Independent Correctional Oversight Office. Next in People News: HDR recently announced the appointment of Brian Endler as Justice Principal and Renee Schoop as Business Development Director for its architecture practice in Pittsburgh.Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has nominated Tia Marcel Moretti to be the Director of the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. In Construction Reports: The joint venture of J.E. Dunn Construction Company and Henry Carlson Construction is soliciting proposals for early trade partners for the new $650 million South Dakota Men's Correctional Facility, with submissions due Jan. 2.The Kentucky Division of Engineering and Contract Administration has issued an RFP for security fence additions at the Kentucky State Penitentiary, with bids due Jan. 27.The Florida Office of the State Courts Administrator is seeking architectural and engineering firms to assess and recommend security upgrades at the 5th District Court of Appeal building, with submittals due Feb. 11. Finishing it off with Events: This is the final week to nominate projects for Correctional News' 2026 Projects to Watch list, with submissions due by Dec. 29.span class="ql-ui"...

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

42
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Copyright 2026 Correctional News
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Corrections Connections