JENNINGS, La. (AP) — Construction on a new $10 million jail in Jefferson Davis Parish could begin soon.

Sheriff Ivy Woods said Thursday that preliminary clearing and dirt work should begin by March, with the main project underway by August. He said it will take two years to complete.

The jail, on a 17-acre site just off U.S. Highway 90 west of Jennings, will replace the overcrowded and outdated jail atop the parish courthouse.

The American Press reports (http://bit.ly/1eOXZNb ) plans for the 200-bed jail include 20 isolation cells and 20 female cells. Woods said the remaining 160 cells will be used to house male inmates.

The sheriff says the patrol division and some detectives will be relocated to the new jail's administrative building. The civil and tax offices will stay at the courthouse.

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Information from: American Press, http://www.americanpress.com

 

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