Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of March 9.

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Let’s get started with project updates:

1. This month, a new 32-bed secure residential juvenile correctional center is set to open in Milwaukee County, Wis.
2. Demolition of the former Teton County Courthouse in Wyoming began this week, clearing the way for construction of a new $88 million Justice Center.
3. The Grayson County Jail Expansion Project in Texas is nearing the final phases of construction and is expected to be completed in September or October.
4. Officials in Fort Bend County, Texas broke ground on a new juvenile vocational training center, with the $2 million project expected to be completed by early 2027.
5. The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities has added 30 new beds at the West Central Georgia Regional Hospital for people with severe mental health issues.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

1. In Minnesota, Sherburne County will push forward a new sales tax and take out a 20-year bond to raise $45.5 million to replace a portion of the Sherburne County Jail.

Next, in people news:

1. Betsy Fox Tolentino has been appointed as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.
2. Wyoming Department of Corrections Director Daniel Shannon has appointed Shawn Hobson as Warden of the Wyoming State Penitentiary.

Up next in construction reports:

1. Cochise County, Ariz., has issued an RFQ for firms to provide design-build criteria architect services for a new county jail, with bids due April 2.
2. Rockingham County, N.C., is seeking proposals for security system upgrades at the Rockingham County Justice Center, with proposals due April 6.
3. San Diego County, Calif., is seeking proposals from CMAR firms for the East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility upgrade project, with bids due April 14.

And finishing this week with events:

1. There’s still time to register for “The Facility Factor: How Your Building is Driving Turnover and Liability,” a free live webinar from Correctional News this Thursday, March 12 at 1 p.m. Eastern.
2. Next week, the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association’s 2026 Conference and Expo will open in St. Louis from March 16–21.
3. Later this month, the Correctional Leaders Association Spring Deputy Directors and Probation and Parole Conference will be held in Hilton Head, S.C., from March 24–27.

For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.