OBERLIN, La. (AP) — Officials in Allen Parish broke ground Thursday on construction of a new parish jail.

Sheriff Doug Hebert tells KPLC that law enforcement officials have pushed for more than a decade for a new jail.

The new 150-bed jail and its 120-bed remand facility is expected to cost about $8.3 million. It's to replace an overcrowded 42-bed jail near the parish courthouse in downtown Oberlin. That facility usually houses more than 90 inmates.

Trahan Construction of Lake Arthur will build the facility. Contractor Troy Trahan says construction should take 12-14 months.

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