Richland County ad hoc committee reviews renovations, security upgrades at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center

The Richland County Detention Center ad hoc committee met at 03:00 to receive a comprehensive update on renovations and operational work at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, Administrator Brown said.

Brown told the committee the county is completing a multi‑stage renovation of 18 housing units to improve security and durability. Work includes new light fixtures, flooring, secure unit doors and stainless‑steel toilet/sink combos with water‑management systems designed to limit damage and water loss. “All of our units for the most part, house 56 individuals,” Brown said when describing unit capacity.

Brown gave unit‑level completion estimates: the Mike housing unit is about 90% complete and units labeled Uniform and Kilo are about 95% complete; outstanding work is primarily delayed lighting deliveries with an estimated partial completion date of November 7 for some fixtures. Once renovated units are turned over, the county plans to move detainees out of the older open‑bay Phase 1 dorm and determine a structural approach to renovate that space.

Why it matters: officials said the changes are meant to address classification and safety challenges at the facility. Brown reported that more than half of detainees are charged with offenses involving violence and that most are pretrial, which he said affects placement and security planning.

Brown also updated the committee on several facility projects: the facility‑wide security system is out of the design phase, construction drawings have been approved, and the county expects to solicit bids for contractor selection and permitting in the coming weeks. The attorney‑client visitation area is largely complete and includes sound‑dampened rooms with contact and non‑contact options to allow confidential attorney meetings and document sharing. Critical infrastructure work is underway as well: the lift‑station project is roughly 85% complete, while a separate roofing project remains largely unfinished due to the building's age.

Maintenance staffing has shifted to a third‑party provider identified in the meeting by the acronym “CGL.” Brown described a work‑order system where facility staff submit requests and CGL responds; the system is intended to capture completion rates, severity and timeliness and address historic staffing challenges for jail maintenance.

Votes at a glance: the committee approved routine motions to accept the minutes and adopt the agenda by recorded roll call votes and later voted to enter executive session for personnel updates; all motions were recorded as approved. The committee returned from executive session and the chair stated no action was taken.

Next steps: Brown said the county will schedule a site visit for committee members to view completed units, solicit bids for the security system in the coming weeks, and continue work on outstanding infrastructure projects.

The meeting adjourned following unanimous procedural votes.