Fayette County OK’s new $31 million jail
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The commissioners of a southwestern Pennsylvania county have voted 2-1 to build a $31 million, 480-bed jail to replace an overcrowded, 124-year-old facility.
Fayette County Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink opposed the plan Tuesday, saying she doubts a new jail is the most cost-effective way to address the county’s problems.
But commissioners Al Ambrosini and Vincent Zapotosky say a feasibility study shows a new jail is cheaper than expanding or renovating the current jail, or continuing to pay other counties to house Fayette’s overflowing inmate population.
The jail had 246 inmates at the end of September, and was paying to board 77 others outside the county. County Controller Sean Lally has warned that could cost the county more than $1 million this year, though Zimmerlink says such costs have been well under $700,000 annually in recent years.