Wood County Ad Hoc Committee Studying Options for New Wood County Jail

Tuesday, March 30th, 2021 -- 9:03 AM

(WDLB) A Wood County ad hoc committee is currently studying options for a new Wood County jail. 

According to WDLB, County Board Chairman Lance Pliml says a new facility could be positioned adjacent to the current courthouse and sheriff’s department building in Wisconsin Rapids, and on the same campus.

Members of the Jail Study Adhoc Committee include Laura Valenstein, Jake Hahn, John Hokamp, Adam Fischer, Lee Thao, Dave LaFontaine, and Al Breu.

Pliml says the group is meeting almost on a weekly basis, to try gathering as much information as they can to eventually make a presentation to the county board.  At a March 18 meeting, the jail study committee looked at a few options for a pod-style jail and found preference in a multi-level facility.

The design, labeled Option No. 7, would fit on the courthouse campus using a portion of Avon Street. It would be approximately the same height of the current courthouse, and house up to 300 inmates.

Sheriff Shawn Becker says that option reduces the total cost of the project and eliminates the need to acquire neighboring property.  It would also bring all of Wood County's inmates home.

Right now, the county spends more than one-point-three million dollars a year to house 90 inmates in Adams and Waupaca Counties. Both of those contracts expire next year, and Becker is expecting those costs to rise.

The committee will continue developing the design over the next couple of months, while assessing the needs of the current jail. A presentation to the county board is anticipated in May. A vote by the board is expected in June or July.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.