Above: Artist's conceptual drawing of the new Western Virginia Regional Jail
Western Virginia Regional Launches Website
The Western Virginia Regional Jail is proud to announce the launch of its new website, featuring information about the jail's mission and board members, LEED certification, and employment opportunities. The new site also features a gallery of construction pictures that show the daily progress being made toward the jail's scheduled March 2009 opening.
For current information about the jail's development and construction, visit
http://westernvaregionaljail.org/
Progress continues as jail "rises out of the ground"
(October 2008) Construction of the Western Virginia Regional Jail near Dixie Caverns is proceeding on schedule. All of the pre-cast concrete cells and panels have been installed; work continues on the internal walls. Rooftop equipment, including heat and air conditioning units, have been placed.
Training has begun for the first class of correctional officers at Roanoke County's Criminal Justice Academy and the regional jail is on schedule to open in March 2009. When completed, this 264,000 sq. ft. facility will provide a rated capacity for 605 inmates with another 200 beds double-bunked, for a total capacity of 805 inmates.
The Western Virginia Regional Jail is a partnership of the counties of Franklin, Montgomery, Roanoke, and the City of Salem. More information and photos are available at http://westernvaregionaljail.org.
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Groundbreaking Held for New Western Virginia Regional Jail
Members Solidify Unprecedented Effort in Regional Cooperation
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With nearly 200 people in attendance, members of the Western Virginia Regional Jail Authority turn over the cermonial first shovels of earth to kick off the construction of the new regional jail facility. Photo courtesy Joe Zielinski.
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Members of the Western Virginia Regional Authority broke ground February 20, 2007 on a project that will link the New River and Roanoke Valleys for generations. The joint project known as the Western Virginia Regional Jail will serve the future public safety needs of the City of Salem, and Counties of Franklin, Montgomery and Roanoke and set the pace for future initiatives.
The new 264,000 square foot regional jail will be located on approximately 40 acres of land off of West River Road, near Dixie Caverns in Roanoke County. Elected officials, law enforcement agencies, and staff from across the New River and Roanoke Valleys have worked since 2004 to organize, design, and build a shared facility to better address the region’s current as well as future public safety needs.
The extent of this need is reflected in the size and scope of the project:
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Currently, the jail facilities in the member jurisdictions are operating at two to three times their rated capacity.
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When completed in January 2009, the jail will include 605 beds, with the possibility of double-bunking up to 200 beds, for a total bed-count of 805.
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The jail is expected to employ about 200 people.
Although the Regional Jail will address the present need for more space and updated facilities, the Authority is not content to construct just another building. Mindful that this facility is not simply for the here and now, they have made a conscious effort to design the building with the needs of the future in mind. The Regional Jail Authority is committed to utilizing advances in technology to streamline the operation of the facility, to conserve resources, and to better address the needs of the environment.
Several “green” characteristics have been included in the design of the building that will make it more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. The Authority is committed to high standards for air quality, the use of energy efficient equipment, minimization of runoff through effective storm water management and re-use of storm water, and the management of light and other energy use.
Indeed the Authority will seek Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (“LEED”) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council and plans to implement the following practices: Capture and re-use of roof top rain water to be used in the laundry operations; use of a vacuum assisted plumbing system and water electronic monitoring system to minimize the purchase, use and treatment of water; and energy management systems for lighting and air handling.
Inmate visitation will be provided via video visitation or ‘teleconferencing’ equipment that will be located at the member jurisdiction’s local jail. This will minimize traffic to the Regional Jail, reduce travel time and expense for the visitor, and enhance jail security.
Most of the inmates housed at the Regional Jail will be sentenced inmates. Some may be inmates with medical needs, women, special populations, or those needing to be separated. All community-based programs will be administered by the member jurisdictions through their local jails. In addition, all releases from custody will be from a member jurisdiction’s local jail and not from the Regional Jail.
The total cost of construction and land for the new jail is $94 million dollars. Of that amount, the member jurisdictions will pay approximately $49 million. The Commonwealth of Virginia will pick up the remainder of the cost.
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