Howard County Quorum Court approves jail expansion plan

Howard County is proceeding with plans to expand the existing Howard County Jail.  At Monday’s quorum court meeting, Sheriff Bryan McJunkins reviewed a preliminary floor plan that will increase the number of  beds from the current 41 and allow the local jail to house as many as 60 inmates.  The estimated cost of the project would range from $975,000 dollars to as much as $1.2 million dollars.

Sheriff McJunkins said the additional beds will also allow the county to help at times with the struggling district court finances, since misdemeanor inmates would have a spot to be held in jail.  The additional beds would also allow for community service work to take place throughout the county.

In Speaking with the quorum court, Sheriff McJunkins said he was comfortable with increasing the jail by 20 beds.  The county shouldn’t require any additional personnel as a result of the expansion.

The additional beds will be built on the northeastern corner of the existing facility and will be paid with a portion of the county’s American Rescue Plan funds.