Governor DeWine Announces $24 million for Construction and Renovation Projects at Local Jails

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Director Annette Chambers-Smith announced today that the state will award more than $24 million in grants to support construction and renovation projects at three local jails.

The funding will be awarded through the Ohio Jail Safety and Security Program, which was launched by Governor DeWine in partnership with the Ohio General Assembly in 2021. The program, which helps local communities fund improvements at functionally obsolete and structurally failing jails, has dedicated more than $230 million in state funding for nearly 70 jail projects, including 25 new or renovated jails and over three dozen jail security and life safety projects.

"Jails are expensive to build and expensive to keep up, so this program helps ease some of the financial burden at the local level," said Governor DeWine. "This program has already made a major impact at jails across the state by helping create safer environments for those working and residing at these facilities."

Counties receiving funding include:

Montgomery County: $13 million to support ongoing jail renovations
Stark County: $7.5 million to support ongoing construction of a new jail
Clark County: Approximately $4 million to support land acquisition and design work for a new jail

"Security is the foundation on which rehabilitation is possible," said Director Annette Chambers-Smith. "If we can ensure these jails have their basic needs addressed, they will be able to better change the lives of the people in their care."

An additional $5 million will be put toward security and safety projects at local jails as needs arise.

Funding for this round of the Ohio Jail Safety and Security Grant Program comes from the existing program budget. The program is administered through the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s Bureau of Adult Detention.

-30-

STAY CONNECTED: