Welcome to Weekly Connections. Here’s your June 23rd update on key developments in the justice industry.

• Starting in Nebraska, there’s progress on their new 1,512-bed multi-custody prison. An intent to award the contract has been signed with Hausman Construction for the DLR Group-designed facility. We’ll continue to follow this.
• In South Dakota, the $600 million prison project is experiencing further delays. The initially selected site in Lincoln County is no longer under consideration, and a special legislative meeting may be rescheduled. More information on the site reassessment is available in these podcast notes.
• Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County Commissioners have approved $9.26 million for the planning phase of their new jail, part of an estimated $400 million project.
• The Oklahoma Department of Corrections has entered into a $74 million, two-year agreement with Trinity Services Group to privatize food services across its state prison system. Full implementation is anticipated by mid-December.
• Georgia lawmakers have approved a $434 million budget for prison improvements, which will fund higher staff salaries, 700 new hires, and $50 million for contraband detection.
• Wisconsin’s Department of Corrections is slated to receive an additional $136 million, following approval from the state’s Joint Finance Committee. The legislature needs to give final approval by June 30th.
• Arizona legislators are considering a bill for an independent oversight body for the state’s prison system. The bill did not pass the House budget, and its success now largely depends on the State Senate’s budget.
• In Georgia, the Department of Corrections has appointed Louis DeBro III to oversee research, strategic planning, and government relations.
• Arizona’s Department of Corrections has named Thomas Arba as Deputy Assistant Director, with a focus on holistic rehabilitation.
• Marshall Clement has been appointed as the new director of the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center.
• The National Sheriffs’ Association announced Justin Smith as its new Executive Director and CEO. He brings 36 years of experience to the position.
• Willow Products has introduced the “Latch Guard” for their wedge locking system, designed to enhance security by preventing tampering when cell doors are open. A link to their site is included in these show notes.
• Registration is open for ICPA’s 27th annual conference in Istanbul, Turkey, this October. The theme is “Wellbeing in Corrections,” and early bird rates end August 15th. Details and the registration link are provided in these notes.
• Ohio DRC Director Annette Chambers-Smith will now chair the Correctional Leaders Association’s Healthcare Committee.
• Regarding construction opportunities: RFPs are open for Buchanan County, MO (Juvenile Detention CM@R); Robeson County, NC (Detention Center Medical Addition, subs sought by Metcon); and Carson City, NV (Courthouse Remodel CM@R). Qualification documents are linked on our website’s podcast page, accessible from these notes.
• Event Update: The National Sheriffs’ Association annual conference is underway in Fort Lauderdale. A notable moment was the special swearing-in for DJ Daniel, a young man battling cancer, who aims to be sworn in by as many law enforcement agencies as possible.
• The CLA on the Hill event is also taking place in D.C. this week. Looking forward, the CLA Western Directors’ Event will be in Napa from July 7th.

For more details or to access the links mentioned:

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• Links for the South Dakota site reassessment info, Willow Products’ Latch Guard, ICPA conference registration, and RFP qualification documents are accessible via our website’s podcast page: correctionalnews.com/podcast