SALUDA, S.C. — Saluda County is planning to build a new $18 million detention center
The current facility was built in the 1970's and hasn't seen major additions since 2000.
“Our facility is just old, it's worn out. We don't have the appropriate space for, especially women," said Saluda County Sheriff Josh Price.
Price said the center can hold up to 64 inmates. It currently is housing 50 inmates. At times though, he said it held much more than that.
“Especially pre-COVID, we were generally always over our max," said Price.
Relief is coming. The county is moving forward with a new $18 million detention center, which will be built across the street from the Sheriff's Department. Price said the project is more than a decade overdue.
“The Department of Corrections could shut down our detention facility if we don’t build another one," said Price.
County officials say the new facility will be up to Department of Corrections regulations, creating a safer environment for inmates and deputies.
“It’s barebone, bare block. There’s nothing fancy about this. We’re not trying to build a Taj Mahal, but we need a place to put bad guys in," said Price.
According to County Council Chairman Jim Moore, $8 million will come from the Penny Sales Tax. He hopes grants and state funding will cover the rest.
"Nobody wants to raise taxes. I live in the county, I don't want taxes to go up. But we have to fund the county services," said Moore.
He added that the new facility could hold up to 120 inmates, but it will likely have a 60-inmate capacity.
“The more capacity, the more it costs," said Moore.
Moore hopes the project will be complete in the next two years.
The Detention Center is part of a larger $8 million public safety project, which includes building a new Fire and Emergency Services headquarters and expanding the Sheriff's Department.
"It's something that is desperately needed in the county and has been for some time," said Moore.