MOORE — With the opening of the new F. DeWayne Beggs Detention Center, the county is working to determine the fate of the correctional department’s previous facility.
The future of the Cleveland County Jail, at 203 S Jones Ave., remains uncertain after the conclusion of the regular meeting of Cleveland County commissioners on Monday.
Commissioners sought the input of meeting attendees, though only one attendee spoke up, suggesting that the county convert the older facility into one that specializes in housing violent juvenile offenders, much as Tecumseh’s Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center does now.
District 2 County Commissioner George Skinner said it would be cheaper to build a new building than to renovate the old.
Despite Cleveland County’s expressed need for a facility for violent juvenile offenders, “we simply can’t fund it,” District 3 County Commissioner Rusty Sullivan said.
Although the board decided this idea might not be feasible, they are continuing to seek the input of Cleveland County residents.
Sullivan invited residents to attend the regular 9 a.m. Monday meetings of the county commissioners, and District 1 County Commissioner Rod Cleveland said he is planning a town hall meeting for the latter part of February.
He hopes to gain the input of downtown businesses and residents and any other area residents who would like to attend. He said the meeting is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 28.
