New $7.5M jail opening in Caddo County

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Published on Wednesday, 22 February 2012 09:51

Associated Press

ANADARKO, Okla. — Officials say a new $7.5 million jail in Caddo County will soon begin accepting inmates.

Sheriff Gene Cain says the 172-bed facility is expected to open within the new few weeks, starting with about 80 or 90 inmates.

The Lawton Constitution reports that county voters twice rejected tax increases to replace the aging jail, which was frequently above capacity. The state in 2009 fined the county almost $400,000 for consistently housing more prisoners than the 75 allowed.

After that, voters approved a sales tax to pay for a new jail, courthouse remodeling and jail operations.

The sheriff says the fine has been suspended since the new jail was approved and that it will be cleared from the books once the facility opens.