The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution requesting that the Virginia Board of Local and Regional Jails (BLRJ) approve key documents needed to move the new jail project forward at its February 20 business meeting.
The Community Based Corrections Plan Needs Assessment and Planning Study (CBCP) was submitted on behalf of the County in December by Moseley Architects. The Board is also seeking reimbursement from the state for eligible design and construction expenses.
The new jail is eligible for up to a 25% reimbursement for eligible design and construction costs per §53.1-81 in the Code of Virginia. The BLRJ must approve the CBCP Needs Assessment and Planning Study and funding reimbursement of all eligible costs subsequent to Governor and General Assembly approval and funding of the project.
Tony Bell, Civic Sector Leader with Moseley Architects, the consultants partnering with the County on the project, provided the Board with an update at its February 20 work session.
The new jail, to be located at 11965 U.S. Highway 29, will be situated on approximately 15 acres of the 32.26-acre parcel and be located about 900 feet from the highway. The topography of the property will make the new jail, designed to blend in with nearby architectural styles and other regional correctional facilities, barely visible from the highway.
The BLRJ is expected to approve the CBCP Needs Assessment in May and the Planning Study in the July-August timeframe.
The new jail is estimated to cost $62.9 million, with a requested 25% reimbursement of $15.7 million. Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and conclude in 2027. The new jail will accommodate 146 beds with the ability to expand to 202. This new facility will replace the County’s current jail, which has been over capacity since it opened in 1981.
To view the presentation provided at the work session, click here.