Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Nov. 24.

Let’s get into it with Project Updates:

• Stakeholders for the new Allen County Jail in Indiana say the $320 million project is about 35% complete and on track for completion by December 2027.
• Renovation and expansion work is underway at the Montana State Prison, a $156 million project that will add 117 new beds and new security enhancements.
• Construction is advancing on the $155 million jail project in Midland County, Texas, with completion estimated at 60% and expected in November 2026.
• Last week, Governor Mike DeWine and officials in Greene County, Ohio cut the ribbon at the new $75 million Greene County Gene Fischer Justice Center.
• A topping out ceremony was held to celebrate the structural completion of the new $179 million Smith County Courthouse in Tyler, Texas.

Next in Legislation and Funding:

• The Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 338, also known as Andy’s Law, designed to protect correctional facility employees and reduce inmate drug possession.
• Monterey County, Calif., has awarded a five-year, $139 million contract to Correctional Healthcare Partners to provide medical and mental health treatment services.
• The Arkansas Board of Corrections voted to spend $1.95 million on upgrades and repair work at the wastewater treatment plant that serves the Cummins and Varner prison units.
• The Johnson County Board in Iowa recently approved $3 million in funding to perform structural renovations at the Johnson County Jail as it considers plans for a new facility.

Moving on to People News:

• Correctional News joins the corrections community in mourning the loss of Virginia Department of Corrections Officer Jeremy Lewis Hall, who was killed by an inmate on Nov. 17.
• Dr. Keith Ivens is the new Chair of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care’s Board of Representatives.

Next in Construction Reports:

• The Washington State Department of Corrections is seeking design services for a perimeter fence detection project at the Clallam Bay Correctional Center, with bids due Dec. 17.
• Richland County, S.C., has issued an RFQ for design-build services for expansion work at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, with bids due Dec. 18.
• The Eddy County Administration Department in New Mexico has issued an RFP to construct a new Eddy County Detention Center, with bids due Jan. 13.

And wrapping up with Events:

• On Dec. 3, Correctional News will host a free webinar titled “Reimagining Corrections: Inside Arizona’s System-Wide Transformation.” Register for this free webinar here!
• The Correctional Leaders Association’s annual All Directors Symposium will take place from Dec. 8-11 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

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