The jail was built in 1987 to house 56 inmates. Its capacity is about double that now. Its last upgrade occurred in 2010 when it got a new roof and air conditioning system.
Browsing: Rockbridge Regional Jail
Rockbridge County, Lexington and Buena Vista ditched plans to build a new regional jail with neighboring Alleghany and Bath Counties. Instead, the three localities will seek state funding to renovate the existing jail, which now holds twice its inmate capacity.
The Rockbridge Regional Jail Commission adopted a $3.5 million budget for 2024.
A raise for city workers and more money for water and sewer treatment are in a draft of Buena Vista’s city budget.
The facility will open a 900-square foot classroom and workshop in the next two months to train inmates in welding, carpentry and plumbing, among other skills.
Rockbridge and Alleghany Counties are looking for proposals to renovate or build a shared facility, and inmates are being offered training programs to give them new job options.
The former Rockbridge Regional Jail Superintendent has been convicted on corruption charges, which include accepting money and providing preferential treatment to former W&L student Nicholas Hansel.
John Higgins’ trial was postponed from Dec. 9 to April 20. He faces 21 charges.
The Rockbridge Regional Jail has 150 current inmates when its capacity is only 111. And there are 30 women inmates living in a space built for 16.
The fees would help pay for more staffing and a new medical contract.