JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A potential new jail in Jacksonville is drawing attention from local community groups, as members voice concerns over the possible billion-dollar project.
RELATED: Expect traffic delays as work begins to return 2-way travel to downtown Jacksonville
The Jacksonville Community Action Committee staged a rally outside City Hall, chanting, “No new jail,” to protest the proposed relocation of the detention facility from downtown Jacksonville.
“People want a say in how our taxpayer dollars are used in this city,” Monica Gold, a member of the Jacksonville Community Action Committee, said. “Our community has a lot of concerns—a lot of issues that need to be addressed—and that involves funding.”
Early estimates indicate the project could cost around $1 billion. City officials argue that the current downtown jail is outdated and struggling to meet demands. They say a new facility would allow for a more modern approach to incarceration, focusing on rehabilitation.
Councilmember Michael Boylan, who chaired a special committee reviewing Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office primary facilities, emphasized that the proposed jail would aim to provide more support for inmates with mental health and behavioral issues.
“When you have 60% to 70% of the people incarcerated today with mental health or behavioral health issues, we need a facility—or a portion of a facility—that speaks directly to their issues and provides the kind of care and services they need to become productive citizens again,” Boylan said.
He added that the current facility isn’t capable of being remodeled to fit those needs. He said the move to a facility with increased treatment facilities could save on trips to nearby medical facilities.
“We were focusing on how we can make this cost-effective for the taxpayer,” Boylan said. “Because the incarceration process we have now for those with behavioral health issues mental health issues is the most expensive way. We can take care of these people and we need to find a better way to do it.”
After the rally, the group then made their way inside City Hall to share their thoughts during the public comment period.
Many expressed concerns that the new jail could end up in historically overlooked neighborhoods.
“If you build a jail, you must fill a jail,” one resident said.
Another speaker urged city officials to “proceed carefully with the new jail project—particularly where you put it and how much you decide to spend on it.”
Councilmember Boylan assured residents that community input would be a priority.
“To answer the question of what should be built and where should it go? We want to involve the community in those discussions,” Boylan said, adding that the project remains in the early stages, with any decision on the facility likely a year away.
Mayor Donna Deegan’s office released a statement affirming her support for a new Duval County Jail, calling the current facility “increasingly dilapidated, unsafe, and unsuitable for the needs of a fast-growing metropolitan area.”
Read the full statement below:
Mayor Deegan has been consistent in her support for a new Duval County Jail. The current facility is increasingly dilapidated, unsafe and unsuitable for the needs of a fast-growing metropolitan area. That said, the mayor also supports exploring options that may reduce the overall price tag of a new facility.
At the same time, the Deegan administration continues to prioritize healthcare, infrastructure and housing initiatives to improve and strengthen all city neighborhoods, including the North Side. We continue to focus on getting more people access to health care via Get Covered Jax and Healthlink Jax, have moved city infrastructure projects on the North and Northwest sides to the front of the line, and will keep working with City Council on increased funding for affordable housing initiatives.
Office of Mayor Donna Deegan
For the full report and recommendations from the Special Committee CLICK HERE.