Sheriff says current jail is overcrowded; capital outlay request and 27‑acre site aim to create a ~300‑bed replacement

The Sheriff told attendees the Washington Parish jail is operating well beyond its rated capacity and outlined plans for a replacement facility. "Our current ... we've got 144 beds in the jail. I think yesterday we had 225 in the jail," he said, describing the downtown facility as in poor condition and "sliding into the river," with logistical and security challenges.

The Sheriff said he has filed a capital outlay request with the state legislature and recently purchased about 27 acres near Veterans Memorial Park for a new centrally located facility. He said the planned design aims for about 300 beds, with room to expand depending on final design choices and funding. "It may not happen anytime soon, but it's going to happen one day," he said.

He acknowledged funding and legislative timing are uncertain: the capital outlay request is before the legislature and he did not know whether it will be approved during the current session, noting decisions likely will come toward the end of the session in May. He said the office may need to seek revenue to operate and maintain a new facility and that some capital steps will be taken now—such as preparing an RFP for design—so the project can move quickly if funding is approved.

The Sheriff also discussed jail programming constraints: the current building has identified deficiencies under state jail guidelines that could limit the introduction of programs like an inmate missionary initiative until the facility meets requirements or an interim waiver is granted. He said full program implementation is expected to follow construction of a compliant new facility.