Weekly Connections September 7th, 2026

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Sept. 7. **Let's get started with project updates:** - Officials in Tazewell County, Ill., marked the topping out of the county's new 87,000-square-foot, $43.5 million Justice Center Annex in downtown Pekin, designed by Wold Architects and Engineers and built by P.J. Hoerr. - Major construction is complete on a new $17.9 million, 19,600-square-foot law enforcement center in Page County, Iowa, which includes a podular-design jail with 38 general population beds and five special needs cells. - The Howell County Commission in Missouri has selected Elevatus Architecture to conduct a needs assessment and provide design services for a potential new law enforcement or justice center. - Demolition of the former administration wing of the Benton County Juvenile Justice Center in Washington began last week, kicking off the next phase of a $21 million renovation that will replace outdated housing with 16-bed pods and outdoor courtyards. **Up next in legislation and funding:** - A draft bipartisan plan would authorize $628.7 million in bonds to overhaul seven Wisconsin correctional facilities, closing Green Bay Correctional Institution no earlier than 2031 and rebuilding Waupun Correctional Institution for $258.45 million. - Commissioners in Mecklenburg County, N.C., unanimously approved $3.2 million to begin reopening the county's north jail, closed four years ago amid staffing shortages, to relieve overcrowding at the main jail in Charlotte. - Kent County, Mich., Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young is seeking voter approval in November for a 20-year jail millage renewal and increase at a 0.98-mill rate to modernize medical and mental health services at the county jail. **Moving on to people news:** - The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office in California has named Jeremiah Mayes its new correctional captain, after nearly two decades with the office and numerous custody division leadership roles. **And now for construction reports:** - Rowan County, N.C., has issued an RFQ for a feasibility study and architectural services to determine whether to expand, renovate or replace the county sheriff's office facility, with submittals due Sept. 17. - The town of Argyle, Texas, has issued an RFP to construction manager at-risk firms for an estimated $6.5 million law enforcement center, with FGM Architects as project architect and proposals due Sept. 22. - Fauquier County, Va., has issued an RFP to architectural and engineering firms for a new 61,500-square-foot courthouse with five courtrooms at the Fauquier County Judicial Center, with proposals due Sept. 28. **And finishing up with events:** - From Sept. 8–11, the Correctional Leaders Association's Northeast Region Meeting will take place in Bar Harbor, Maine. - The American College of Correctional Physicians' 2026 Annual Education Conference will be held Sept. 18–20 in Dallas, with a theme of "Hard Time, Smart Medicine." For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.