Why Are We Building?
The Jackson County Law Enforcement Center is too old and small to safely manage inmates or support law enforcement. The Government Center East building and Courthouse are outdated and can no longer support government services.
Jackson County Jail: Violating state standards due to age and antiquated design
After nearly a half-century of heavy use, Jackson County’s jail can no longer safely hold inmates and effectively serve the needs of law enforcement personnel.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections has formally notified Jackson County of ongoing compliance violations, stating that failure to meet regulatory standards will ultimately lead to the jail's closure.
By law, the county must have the capacity to hold individuals accused or convicted of specific crimes within its borders.
Major issues at the jail include:
Jail cells are too small to safely hold inmates
Current design makes it difficult to conduct proper inmate well-being checks
Current design makes it difficult to properly separate inmates by security classification
No separate medical room
Insufficient storage for evidence
Significant structural damage from moisture
Exposed wiring and cabling
Outdated cell locks and doors
Not handicapped accessible
HVAC, plumbing and sewer systems need to be replaced
Government Center and Courthouse: Not designed to deliver modern government services
The Jackson County Government Center East building was more than 60 years old and well past its useful life. The building faced major infrastructure problems, such as no central air conditioning, a lack of overall energy efficiency leading to inflated heating bills and an outdated HVAC system.
Built in 1909, the historic Jackson County Courthouse was not designed to provide many government services that the county is responsible for managing and cannot be renovated because it is a protected historical place. The courthouse and government center lack the needed space to provide those services efficiently and effectively.
Additionally, the county jail, courthouse and government center operate using one shared boiler that is old and frequently breaks down.
