Video: The new Anderson County Detention Center is scheduled to be completed in December 2026
On August 16, 2024, Anderson County officials will begin construction on the new Anderson County Detention Center, which is scheduled to be ready for occupancy in December 2026.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office held a groundbreaking for its new $83 million detention center on Friday, August 16. It will be built adjacent to the existing center at the corner of Matthew Drive and Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Anderson County City Manager Rusty Burns said the new facility will also be free to taxpayers..
“We have paid off a large portion of the county’s bond debt and are simply replacing that old debt with new debt for this project,” he said.
The current prison, built in the 1950s, cannot accommodate the growing number of inmates. It houses more than 400 inmates in a facility designed for about 240.
“This is leading to inmates being released early,” said Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride. “We need more space for those who need to stay behind bars until their court date.”
There are currently 465 inmates housed at the Anderson County Detention Center.
According to the project plans The new state-of-the-art facility has a capacity of 650 inmates and includes ancillary spaces such as a vehicle sallyport, intake and booking area, property storage, medical facilities, kitchen, laundry, administrative offices, storage and a public lobby.
The aim is to provide better rehabilitation resources, reduce overcrowding and improve the safety of both inmates and staff.
Burns said that tackling the root causes of criminal behavior could help lower crime rates.
According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, there have been 4,503 arrests since January 1, including 170 minors in Anderson County.
“South Carolina only has one youth prison in Columbia,” Burns said. “If two of our officers have to take a youth to the prison in Columbia for processing and then bring them back, they’re unavailable all day. We’re not only building it now, but we’re also engineering it for the future. Some things are being scaled up in case it needs to be upgraded in 20 years.”
Sheriff McBride emphasized the urgency of the new facility.
“With a larger detention center, there will be more opportunities for mental health programs and educational initiatives to help inmates reintegrate into society,” McBride said.
Burns said Anderson County is trying to establish a mental health court because many of the people who frequently end up in the detention center suffer from mental illness.
He explained that this diversion program will focus on inmates who attend a treatment center or receive outpatient counseling.
Sheriff McBride added that the Anderson County Detention Center also started a GED program but had to shut it down due to overcrowding as there was not enough space for school district volunteers to run it.
McBride said this new facility will allow the county to add these programs and safety features, contributing to its success.
Anderson County Detention Center Project Details
According to project details, the building will feature a two-story glass entrance, metal panels and wood materials that convey transparency and warmth and reflect the reformatory character of the facility.
Key facilities include twelve 48-bed pods and four minimum-capacity dormitories, multipurpose rooms that can serve as classrooms for continuing education, recreational spaces, a video visiting room, a medical clinic and mobile dental office, a kitchen and laundry, a justice of the peace area, and a courtroom.
The project plans require specialized expertise in prison construction, including additional security measures and knowledge of relevant federal laws and regulations.
John Fox of Anderson County Roads and Bridges is the project manager.
Vannoy Construction assumes responsibility for the general contracting and construction management for the new detention center.
Chris Little, senior project manager at Venoy Construction, said the project is expected to take 28 to 30 months to complete. He also noted that steel sales are the biggest challenge due to fluctuating market prices. Venoy Construction is currently working to negotiate better terms with suppliers to reduce costs.
ECS Southeast will complete the initial and supplementary subsurface investigations and geotechnical analyses of the project. Moseley Architects will design the new internment camp.
Land planning partneran Easley-based construction consulting firm, will conduct the necessary land use planning and site development studies. Foodedesign Associates of Charlotte, North Carolina, A food and laundry consultant analyzes the facility’s nutritional and laundry needs to ensure the center has state-of-the-art kitchens and laundry areas.
Photographer Ken Ruinard contributed to this article.
Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. You can reach him by email at [email protected].
