Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of July 7th.
- In Redding, California, the Shasta County Jail has temporarily closed one floor for a major construction project to upgrade cameras, fire alarms, and cell intercom systems. Sheriff Michael Johnson emphasized the focus on safety and a swift reopening.
- The Walton County Jail in Monroe, Georgia, celebrated the ribbon-cutting for its new 216,000-square-foot facility. The $140 million project, 18 years in the making, includes an 870-cell jail with a 58-bed medical wing, an administrative building, and more.
- In a move to reduce juvenile justice involvement, the Texas Legislature has approved $1.2 million for Williamson County to launch a multi-systematic therapy program for at-risk youth.
Moving on to legislation and funding:
- The Oklahoma County Detention Center is facing a $5.8 million shortfall and could run out of funds by August 1st, potentially impacting payroll and operations. The interim CEO will present a case for increased funding on July 8th.
- In California, Santa Clara County officials are weighing options for a new jail, as aging facilities fall short of federal standards. Leaders are exploring alternatives, including facility upgrades and a revised zero-bail policy, amid divided community feedback.
- The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) secured over $1.8 billion in new funding in what Executive Director Bryan Collier called the "most successful" legislative session in agency history. This will fund major staff pay raises, expanded services, and 18,000 additional air-conditioned beds.
- A New York state judge has blocked the Hochul administration from suspending the HALT Act, which limits the use of solitary confinement. The ruling follows a lawsuit alleging incarcerated individuals were unlawfully isolated during a corrections officer strike.
- The Michigan Department of Corrections reported a record-low recidivism rate, with only two in ten parolees returning to prison within three years. Officials credit expanded support services, job training, and education programs.
- In Washington D.C., the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that federal prison officials cannot be sued for alleged excessive force under a Bivens claim, reinforcing limits on inmate lawsuits.
In hiring and people announcements:
- The CPCA Board of Directors has announced Sarah Edmons as the new Executive Director of the California Police Chiefs' Association.
- Falcon Technologies has welcomed Angela Phillips as its new Senior Product Manager. She will lead the strategy and development of the Predictive Framework Tools series.
- TDCJ has named Crystal McCoy as the new Region 1 Director for the Parole Division, bringing years of experience to the role.
For our construction reports:
- Washington's Clark County Council has approved reallocating $4.1 million to cover a budget shortfall in its jail work center expansion. The project, now valued at $23.7 million, will add 64 beds and expanded support services.
- In Idaho, Canyon County is soliciting qualifications from CMGC firms for a new 192-bed, 28,000-square-foot detention facility with an estimated budget of $10 million.
- Three final firms—Skanska, Hill International, and Turner & Townsend Heery—have presented their qualifications to manage the construction of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania's new $400 million prison.
Finally, in events:
- The Correctional Leaders Association (CLA) Western Region meeting is kicking off in Napa, California, and runs from July 7th to July 10th.
- Looking ahead, NCCHC is offering a first look at the 2026 Standards for Mental Health and Health Services in San Francisco on July 19th.
- The American Jail Association will host its...
