Story Created:
Aug 10, 2007 at 4:49 PM CST
Story Updated:
Aug 10, 2007 at 5:42 PM CST
(August 10, 2007)
It's taken the better part of eight months, a lot of hard work, and a lot more money...but it's finally over.
The dreaded and long awaited inspection by state Jail Standards Commission is in...and their findings? Good to go!
The announcement was mady by State Inspector Russell Biehle on Friday, before a crowd of county jail employees, and flanked by his boss, State Jail standards Commission Chairman Adam Munoz, and Sheriff Jim Kaelin.
The recertification of the Nueces County Jail brings to a close to a dark chapter in the facilities history and opens the doors to a renewed effort in the management of the 840 bed jail.
Sheriff Kaelin said, "We spent about 2.8 Million at the point at this getting the jail to where it is."
Work on the jail's ancient ventilation system that in some areas of the facility is clogged will be replaced and replaced. Three million dollars has been allocated by commissioners to spend at main jail and the Mckenzie Annex. Revamping a 48 bed pod there could eventually mean the return of federal prisoners and millions of dollars they bring to Nueces County.
While no date was given as to when that could happen Sheriff Kaelin says he hopes it will happen very soon.
