Maine County Opts For 250-Bed Jail At $45 Million

BANGOR, Maine - A Maine county is opting for a $45 million plan to replace its aging and overcrowded jail. Penobscot County commissioners plan to ask voters to approve bonds to pay for its construction at the June 2020 primary election.The Bangor Daily News reports county commissioners voted Tuesday to pay WBRC Architects and Engineers roughly $267,000 to design the jail. Commissioners earlier this year had sought bids for a 300-bed, $65 million jail. A committee including Penobscot County Sheriff Troy Morton had said a 300-bed facility is needed to improve medical services for inmates, including substance use treatment. It's unclear where exactly the new jail would be built. The current jail is licensed to hold 157 inmates. Its population has decreased slightly in recent months to between 200 and 250 inmates.