Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price recently announced plans for the county to build a new $5 billion jail and courthouse, in response to questions raised by the Dallas City Council about the city’s current contract to house Dallas inmates. The current Lew Sterrett Justice Center in Downtown Dallas is nearly 50 years old, and Price emphasized the need for a new facility to replace it, as keeping the aging facility in compliance with state standards is proving to be a challenge.
While the location of the new facility is still uncertain, Price stressed the importance of building a new courthouse along with the jail. He also suggested that the city should consider building its own jail, pointing out that many other cities in Dallas County have their own jail facilities. Currently, the city pays nearly $7.9 million to house Dallas inmates, but with the number of inmates decreasing, there is a possibility for the city to explore other options, such as reopening the old lockup at the George Allen Courthouse.
A blue-ribbon task force has been established to pursue the construction of a new jail and courthouse, although funding for the project remains unclear. The City Manager has been urged to ensure that Dallas is included in discussions about the logistics of the new facility. The proposal of building a new jail and courthouse signals a significant undertaking for Dallas County and highlights a pressing need for updated and efficient correctional facilities in the area.
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