By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
On Monday, Rice County held the ribbon-cutting event for the new Public Safety Center, which will house the county jail, offices, equipment storage for the Rice County Sheriffs, and space for the Cannon River Drug and Violent Offender Task Force. At the event there were several speakers including Sheriff Jesse Thomas, the Rice County Board of Commissioners, and county staff. The project has been a long one that started before the pandemic when the Minnesota Department of Corrections downgraded Rice Counties Jail to a 90-day facility. Rice County then had to build a new facility or spend an estimated $1.5 million yearly to have other countries hold detainees. Sheriff Jesse Thomas said that he was “truly amazed with the outcome” of the safety center and expressed appreciation to the county government, the other members of the Sheriff’s Department, construction crews, and Rice County residents and taxpayers.
The new safety center is an 83,000-square-foot facility with 76 beds for detainees. Among the new features is space for the Sheriff’s Office to store all its vehicles and equipment inside, which the current facility does not offer. There will also be training space for sheriff deputies as well.
The new county jail provides detainees more recreational opportunities and gym space. The new facility also includes a kitchen and laundry, so both services can be done in-house. Detainees will be able to apply for facility work details, which will allow them to work in the kitchen or laundry or do custodial work. That will allow them to get credit for future employment. Rice County Assistant Jail Administrator Stephanie Duhme said that the facility will be better for the community overall:
“The Public Safety Center Jail facility provides space and technology to enhance and create programs that will promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. As you know, most of all, the incarcerated returned to families and their communities upon release. The Dell design and amenities support for positive transition back into the community. … Overall, the facility itself provides increased privacy, recreation, counseling space and dedicated health services.” – Assistant Jail Administrator Stephanie Duhme
Duhme, who was part of the transition team between the facilities, thanked the staff who worked extra hours to get the facility ready to open.
U.S Senator Amy Klobuchar spoke at the event by phone and put the current facility’s age in context.
“And I think what I learned here was your other law enforcement center has had been around since 1975. So I looked back at 1975. OK, you know, it was happening then. Jaws was the box office smash of the summer and a 17 year old Prince stepped in to a recording studio for the first time” – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar speaking at the event
Klobuchar praised the work by the Rice County to support law enforcement:
“it’s going to be a symbol of your county’s proud commitment to support your law enforcement professionals. And when we invest in law enforcement, we invest in a safer and more prosperous America.”
The county held one open house of the facility for the public to tour yesterday and is now moving into the final steps before opening. On October 24th, the Minnesota Department of Corrections will review the facility to give the final approval for opening. Then, the Sheriff’s Department will begin moving from the current facility into the new safety center planning to open in November.
Rice County has an extensive page of information on its website about the new project, cost, project details, and reports from the state of Minnesota. Learn more about the project from Rice County Here: https://www.ricecountymn.gov/563/Public-Safety-Center-construction-projec
