Churchill County is beginning construction on a new $17 million Law Enforcement and Detention Center in Fallon.
The County's current facility, constructed in 1973, has an official bed capacity of 53 and limits inmate segregation capabilities. The new 39,000 square foot facility has six different housing pods and more than doubles the number of available beds to 120. A seventh pod with space for an additional 20 beds may be converted in the future if needed.
The new facility also includes medical cells, a booking and intake area designed to handle fluctuation in numbers, an inmate-operated laundry, and visitation spaces.
It will also house a 911 dispatch center, detention staff administrative spaces, and a public entry and reception desk to handle civic services and video visitation. The new Law Enforcement Center will be located only blocks away from the current facility and is centrally located near the County's Courts, District Attorney's Office and Sheriff's Office.
The County will contribute approximately $2.3 million in funds and has sought a $15 million loan through USDA's Community Facilities program.
There’s no immediate word on when the new facility will be completed, which will be located on West A Street.
(Churchill County, USDA contributed to this report.)
