JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Talks about constructing a new Duval County jail are gaining momentum at Jacksonville City Hall. Council members Michael Boylan and Will Lahnen held a public meeting Friday afternoon to discuss the project, which is estimated to cost around $1 billion.
Members of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and Mayor Donna Deegan’s Office were in attendance.
The meeting focused on reviewing a comprehensive 40-page report from Boylan, who chaired the special committee on the jail project. The discussions underscored the need for a modern facility that addresses the evolving culture of incarceration and detention.
“The culture of incarceration; detention has changed dramatically over the course of the last three decades,” Boylan said. “And having a facility that is one size fits all regardless of the circumstances of the individual just doesn’t work anymore.”
Lahnen was recently appointed by Council President Randy White to act as a liaison between JSO, the city council, and Deegan’s office.
“Making sure that my peers are informed over where it is,” Lahnen said. “Very similar to how when we were going through the stadium, at times we would have the Chief of Staff (Michael Weinstein) to come up and give us an update.”
Many questions have come with the projected $1 billion price tag. Boylan said the committee examined other municipalities with similar projects in determining that figure. One of the main concerns from residents has been over where the new facility should go.
An unsolicited proposal the city received suggested a Northside location, not far from the Montgomery Correctional Center. Duval County residents like Fatina Hathcock have expressed concerns about the location of the new jail, suggesting that downtown Jacksonville would be better served by other developments.
“We can do something else on the river. And put something else beautiful on the river, since we’re building up downtown anyway,” Hathcock said.
The city previously allocated $9 million for patchwork repairs on the existing jail, addressing issues like faulty elevators, mold, and water damage. However, Boylan noted that these measures are insufficient for long-term needs.
A key takeaway from the meeting was the importance of involving mental health professionals in the planning process. Providing on-site mental health services for inmates is seen as a critical component in reducing recidivism and promoting rehabilitation.
“It does say money, so we’ve got to have an efficient system and unfortunately, the existing facility doesn’t allow us the opportunity to do that,” Boylan said.
The city’s approach to funding the new jail remains unclear, but more details are expected when the mayor’s office releases information on the request for proposal (RFP) in the coming weeks. As discussions continue, city leaders say they are committed to finding a solution that meets the community’s needs.
As Jacksonville moves forward with plans for a new Duval County jail, the focus remains on creating a facility that addresses modern incarceration needs while considering community input.
