Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 1, 1990 TAG: 9007010050
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: D-13 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium
"It's not costing the city anything," Drew said. "There's not another like it on the East Coast."
The move to the 189-bed minimum security facility across from the old county courthouse is the first of two intended to expand the jail. The Correctional Center was built for 350 prisoners but was home to 633 at one point last month. An $11 million expansion will add 200 beds by the end of 1991.
By that time, the jail will be one of a few in the state to have worked its way out of a crowding crisis.
"They're one of a handful that won't have inmates sleeping on the floor," said U.S. Marshal Roger Ray, who relies on local jails to hold prisoners awaiting trial in federal court.
A steady flow of customers from Ray is the reason the facility could be built without spending tax dollars.
The facility was built for $1.2 million by PACO Inc., developers of the Princess Anne Executive Park. PACO leases it to the city for $168,000 a year.
The city will be reimbursed by the sheriff's office, which expects to collect up to $438,000 a year for housing federal prisoners for the U.S. marshal.
The federal government is desperate for detention space. In addition to paying about $60 a day for up to 20 prisoners, it has agreed to spend $135,000 to replace the jail's antiquated surveillance system.
To make room, non-violent inmates on work release - people jailed for such offenses as drunken driving, non-support and bad checks - will be moved from the Correctional Center to the annex in the office park.
"It's the way to go in the future," Drew said. "With shrinking federal and state funds, cities are in trouble. Department heads have to become more innovative."
To be admitted, prisoners must have no history of violence no matter how minor. Most are either first-offenders or have short jail terms for petty crimes, Drew said.
Inmates said the incentive to behave is high because they don't want to be sent back to the main jail. The new facility is roomy and offers more privacy and freedom.
If inmates make one mistake, they will be sent back to the jail and lose the time they have worked off their sentence for being in the program.
by CNB