Outgoing prison board urges new officials to move on prison project
The incoming Fayette County Prison Board will have the necessary tools to move forward with either the construction of a new prison or expansion and rehabilitation of the current one.
Several of the current members — Commissioners Al Ambrosini and Vince Zapotosky, along with Sheriff Gary Brownfield and District Attorney Jack R. Heneks Jr. — attended their final meeting on Wednesday but indicated the incoming panel has two current plans to consider when they take office in January.
“They will have a good level of guidance,” said Zapotosky.
The two plans include a new 115,000 square-foot, 480-bed correctional facility, and a 128-bed addition to the in-place lockup, located at the rear of the county courthouse.
The new facility and its construction was supported by a majority of the prison board members.
The second plan was not brought before the panel for consideration. However, said Zapotosky, it resulted from a public outcry for an alternative to new construction.
Both have a cost estimate of $32 million.
Ambrosini, meanwhile, said he hoped the incoming members would utilize the plans and the information gathered to aid them in the decision-marking process.
“There is everything here to move it to the next phase,” he said.
Brownfield, the current chairman, has served on the board for 16 years. He will retire Dec. 31.
Current Deputy Sheriff James Custer was elected in November to fill the position.
Ambrosini and Heneks lost in their bid for re-election and Zapotosky opted not to seek a third term in office.
Commissioners-elect Vince Vicites and Dave Lohr will join incumbent Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink on the prison board, along with District Attorney-elect Richard Bower, who will replace Heneks. Controller-elect Scott Abraham will round out the board when it convenes in January.
“We did the best we could,” said Brownfield.
Turning to an unrelated matter, Warden Brian Miller reported an in-house inmate population of 196 males and 45 females. Three inmates are being housed in the Greene County Jail.