DeWine awards $5 million for local jail projects | News, Sports, Jobs

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that he is providing state assistance to six county jails in Ohio for targeted safety, security and operational projects.

Approximately $5 million has been awarded to the following jails through the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s Bureau of Adult Detention:

Darke County — $1.8 million for security upgrades

Ross County — $1.6 million for security upgrades

Monroe County — $329,000 for a sewer system project

Erie County — $150,000 for a sewer system project

Highland County — $179,000 for security upgrades

Pickaway County — $902,000 for a sewer system project

“Ohio is making significant investments in the safety and overall operations of our jails to help them better meet the demands of our criminal justice system,” said DeWine. “These jail improvements will help alleviate more significant issues in the future and help ensure these facilities are operating safely.”

Today’s grant awards are part of $50 million allocated by the legislature at DeWine’s request for local jail renovations in Senate Bill 310 of 133rd Ohio General Assembly. DeWine awarded $45 million to six jails last year for major construction projects, and the remaining $5 million in funding was reserved for smaller-scale, immediate safety concerns.

DeWine has also partnered with the Ohio General Assembly on additional grant funding for Ohio jails that will be awarded through the current capital budget. House Bill 687, which was passed by the 134th General Assembly and signed by DeWine this summer, provides another $51 million in grant funding for jail capital projects. The application period for this new round of grant money will open in coming weeks.