Plan for Lincoln County men’s prison draws scrutiny over site selection and $825 million project cost

The Department of Corrections presented detailed planning and financing information for a proposed men’s facility in Lincoln County, describing a multi‑custody design, the procurement of state lands, and an estimated total project cost the department put at $825 million.

Secretary Kelly Wasco said the design is for a multi‑custody, intake and long‑term facility that would hold 1,512 general population beds plus an intake unit of 72 beds. "The 737 is the maximum that can be spent on construction," she told the committee when discussing the guaranteed maximum price, and then said the total project cost including utilities, insurance and commissioning was $825,000,000.

Site selection, land trust and due diligence

Ryan Brunner of the governor’s office, who spoke about the site search and land interests, said the state examined multiple properties over roughly 18 months and ultimately used 320 acres of state‑owned school and public lands. Brunner described the constitutional requirements for using school trust land:…