Winnfield’s city jail has been closed for several years due to deficiencies.  Repairs and corrections have been made to fix those problems and staffing hired in anticipation.

In special session this past Thursday evening, the City Council approved purchase and installation of an HVAC unit for the jail at a cost of $116,573.  Mayor Gerald Hamms said installation of the climate control unit should be the final requirement before the jail can be put back into operation.  “Soon,” he said.  “Soon.”

The contract for the Carrier unit was awarded to Alberitton Service Co. of Ruston.

The jail can house 32 inmates.  There are 12 cells in the front area that might be opened earliest.  Once the HVAC work is completed and accepted, the 20 cells in the back could be ready for use, the mayor indicated.

During this interim, city inmates have been housed in the parish detention center on Thomas Mill Road or out-of-parish, with costs billed to the city department.  That housing space itself has become a problem recently. City Attorney Clay Carroll told the members that since space in those alternative facilities is less available, the City Court’s options are limited.