A look inside new Scott Co. Jail

The move won't quite be rags to riches, since their new home will still be a jail house. But, for the deputies who've come to call Scott County's current facility home, their new $9.2 million justice center in Huntsville is a major step up.

"It makes our job a little bit easier plus it's a better working environment, you're proud of the facility you have," Chief Deputy Bobby Ellis said.

In 2005 the state fire marshall basically condemned the old jail, which was built in 1904.

From there, the county stepped forward and started planning the new building. Thursday, the county will cut the ribbon and officially open it.

"It's only the third time in the last 110 years that Scott County has dedicated a new building for a jail," County Mayor Rick Keeton said.

"Well, it's more than we expected. It's a modern facility and a good change for Scott County," Sheriff Anthony Lay said.

With the improvements, the county will be able to hold about three times as many inmates. That will help with overcrowding issues the old jail faces on a daily basis and allow the county to even take in some state criminals at $35 a day.

"If you don't behave right, the judge can say 'I don't have to let you out on bail, stay with us for 30 days.' If that doesn't make a difference, I don't know what would," Keeton said.

"It's really sad and depressing when we make these cases to see these people walk, not due to the Sheriff's Department and not due to the judicial system, but just because there is no room for these people in jail [and] we have to do something with them," Sheriff Lay said.

With improved technology the jail should improve life for jailers and help eliminate some of the serious problems of the old facility as well. In April, a convicted sex offender escaped and was on the loose for several hours before deputies tracked him down.

The new facility will have more cameras and more safeguards to ensure escape is a lot tougher than just pulling apart at a chain-link fence.

The department says that's something the county can embrace.

"I think they ought to be proud. Without them it wouldn't have happened. They've got something to really be proud of," Ellis said.

The county does not have concrete plans for the old jail at this point, but there are no plans for demolition either.

There has been some serious talk about a bed and breakfast moving in, but the county plans to work with the city of Huntsville to discuss possibilities for that area of the city.