JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A new report reveals details about the need for improvements to the Duval County jail. The report comes from the City of Jacksonville Special Committee of the Council to Review JSO Facilities.
The draft report found the jail faces unsafe conditions, including overcrowding, mold and mildew issues. The report called the jail "outdated" and "compromised the well-being of inmates and JSO staff."
Michael Boylan represents District 6 on the Jacksonville City Council and he is also the chair of the special committee.
"There's no doubt that we need a new jail over the course of the past three or four decades, three plus decades. Since this thing was built and designed, the culture of incarceration, detention has changed dramatically. And one size does not fit all anymore," Boylan explained.
According to the report, the committee will be recommending building a new jail.
Over their seven-month investigation, committee members consulted with various law enforcement agencies, community organizations and correctional centers in other states to develop a campus-style concept focusing on mental health.
Boylan said this concept will allow for a more holistic approach to providing services for inmates. Last year, the city paid more than $13 million to UF Health for inmate medical treatment. It also cost JSO more than $6 million to transport inmates. Boylan said their vision for the new facility would have an on-site infirmary, along with mental health and rehabilitation services.
"We took a look at our given situation, saw some of the best practices out there, got some of the great minds people experienced in building these kinds of facilities at the table to help us understand not only what's happening around the country in these kinds of facilities, but more importantly the process by which they came to where they did and what they decided to build,” Boylan said.
The report also recommends moving JSO headquarters out of the current Police Memorial Building. The committee found the building is outdated and JSO has outgrown the facility. The goal is to get all JSO personnel under one roof. Boylan said the former Florida Blue building off Riverside Avenue is a top contender for the new headquarters.
"I did ask of the sheriff and his folks to do some due diligence and take a look at other facilities. And they did and they came back to me with, in all honesty, to say that is really the best deal, if you will for us. And so that makes sense," Boylan explained.
The final report will be presented to city council in June. Council will create a blue-ribbon committee which will be in charge of the planning and development of the jail. Right now, the price tag is $1 billion. Boylan said they will look into the possibility of using grant, state and federal money.