Greene County New Jail Project

  1. Jail Info & Updates
  2. Jail Project Quick Facts
  3. Frequently Asked Questions
  4. Resolution of Intent to Reduce
  5. What will it cost me?

UPDATE 4/21/2023:

GCBoCC and Gov. Dewine's’ Press Update re: $15M State Grant

April 21, 2023


4/14/2022 Update:

After reviewing all submissions received from the Design Professional Request for Qualifications, the Jail Project Committee voted Wachtel & McAnally as the leading choice.  A formal proposal was requested from W&M and is expected by 4/22/22.

Two organizations responded to the Construction Manager at Risk Request for Qualifications and formal Requests for Proposals were requested from each.  On-site pre-proposal meetings were held this week to discuss the project and review the potential site.  Final questions to the RFP are due on 4/19 by 3pm and final proposals are due on 4/22/22 by 3pm.

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THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, GREENE COUNTY, OHIO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK SERVICES 

(see bid posting: New Jail Project- CMR RFQ)

THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, GREENE COUNTY, OHIO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR DESIGN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
(see bid posting: New Jail Project- Design Professional Services RFQ)


10/21/2021 Update: AT THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED GREENE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS' MEETING, THE COMMISSIONERS PASSED A RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO REDUCE COLLECTION OF 0.25 PERCENT SALES AND USE TAX FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUPPORTING CRIMINAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE JUSTICE SERVICES, SPECIFICALLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING, ACQUIRING, EQUIPPING, OR REPAIRING A DETENTION FACILITY IN THE COUNTY, IF APPROVED BY VOTERS AT THE NOVEMBER 2021 ELECTION ONCE ADEQUATE MONEY IS AVAILABLE IN THE FUND TO DEFEASE THE BONDS FOR THE PROJECT. 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW RESOLUTION NO. 21-10-21-5

Summary of Purpose

The County’s current 146-bed downtown jail is 52 years old and obsolete and under a Federal Consent Decree limiting capacity regardless of the number of individuals ordered into custody by the Courts. This has resulted in the Sheriff being forced to release sentenced individuals, a practice that would end with a new facility. The County’s Adult Detention Center just outside downtown Xenia on Greene Way Boulevard was built in 2000 with a capacity of 236 beds. Both combined, the County’s jail system has the capacity to house a total of 382.

In 2018, the County Commissioners published an RFQ for a Jail Needs Assessment Consultant and chose the firm HDR. The HDR analysis showed that Greene County criminal justice system is a well-functioning and efficient system that focuses on inmate outcomes, not just containment. Community based organizations have an integral role within the system and provide behavioral health services and are important components to the system’s outcomes focus.

The end result of the Needs Assessment analysis indicated the County should abandon the current jail building. It presents numerous safety concerns and lacks sufficient areas to conduct critical operational functions and programs. Put simply, it does not contain the space required for current housing capacity nor the design required to accomplish modern correctional goals.

The County placed a sales tax initiative for a new jail and Sheriff’s administration facility on the ballot in Spring of 2020. At the time the Country was entering the state of emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic. The normal election process was upended and it was a time when people were fearful and anxious. The measure was defeated.

While there may be several factors to the measure not passing, three common objections were identified:

  • 500 beds are too many
  • Confusion about amount of proposed sales tax increase
  • Spend money on rehabilitation not confinement

The County listened to feedback from the community and has reduced the planned facility to 384 beds. The County also intends to publicize more facts about the proposed sales tax initiative as well as discuss the rehabilitation, mental health, and substance abuse services planned for the new facility.

The need for this new facility only grows. To help get facts about this worthy project out to voters before the November election, we are enlisting help from community partners willing to share the information in this packet.

We hope you will consider being one of those partners and sincerely thank you for your help.