There’s a new jail in town! Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams stands in front of the new Marion County Detention Center, which also houses the Marion County Sheriff’s Department and the Emergency Management Agency.
MARION COUNTY — The Marion County Commission is proud to announce the official opening of the new Marion County Detention Facility, a milestone achievement in the county’s continued commitment to public safety, responsible governance and community well-being.
I just returned from an exciting field trip to a place I hope to never visit again... or at least I hope to never stay at. And I’m calling it a field trip for this column, but it was actually a great tour of the new Marion County Detention Center (aka the jail) with our super sheriff Kevin Williams and a couple of my co-workers.
We’d all hoped to go, but last minute scheduling changes prevented Luke (sports editor) from joining us. But P.J. (editor) and Erin (ad manager) did get to go, and I’m glad we were able to share the experience.
Above is the current view of the construction of the new Marion County Jail. Groundbreaking at the site was on Nov. 4, 2022. It will be located in Bedford Industrial Park near Marion County DHR. The estimated cost for the facility is just under $17 million.
HAMILTON — Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams is looking to the State of Alabama to help soften the blow of inflation on the Marion County Jail.
The Marion County jail, like any jail in the U.S., is not only in charge of housing inmates, but also feeding them.
Construction crews began working on the new jail site in Hamilton on Monday, March 13.
HAMILTON — Marion County has its new jail architect after the county commission unanimously voted to hire Jim Berry Associated Architect's new architect Paul Butler.
HAMILTON — Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams has yet again had to hire a new jailer to work at the Marion County Jail in Hamilton after some time dealing with high turnover at the facility.
By Chad Fell
Courtesy of the Northwest Alabamian
HALEYVILLE — A man wanted on escape charges from Marion County was in the wrong place at the wrong time on Wednesday, Feb. 1, in Haleyville.
Arrested during a traffic stop on Highway 13 at 18th Street in Haleyville was Ashley Dewayne Pipkins, 46, of Haleyville, who has been charged with trafficking methamphetamine (possessing 28 grams or greater) and possession of marijuana second degree, according to Haleyville Police Investigator Lt. Eddie Collins.
From left, Bob Burleson, Keith Nichols, Dale Holt, Angela Berry, Kevin Williams and Tim “Ears” Estes break ground on the new Marion County Jail facility in Hamilton. Not pictured is Commissioner Kenneth Cochran.
By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams and the Marion County Commission joined with government officials and leaders in the county to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Marion County Jail in Hamilton.
The event took place at the future jail site located at the Bedford Industrial park in Hamilton located near Marion County DHR Friday, Nov. 4.
Groundbreaking for the new jail will be Friday, Nov. 4, at 10 a.m. at the Bedford Industrial Park. Shown is the old jail.
By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON — In a decision that may have been too close for comfort, the Marion County Commission voted to award several bids that signals the official start of the Marion County Jail construction.
Commissioners had eight bid packages on the table for their meeting on Monday, Oct. 24, at the commission office in Hamilton.
Bids were opened just last month, giving commissioners the cost of contracts for general works, detention and security, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, concrete, masonry and sitework to be done for the new jail facility.
Marion County projects $1.9 million surplus in this fiscal year’s budget.
By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
HAMILTON —Things are looking up at the perfect time financially for the Marion County Commission. With the new Marion County Jail looming over the county's head, things have seemingly been looking negative due to the high cost of the jail’s construction.
According to the county's approved budget for 2023, however, Marion County is in the best financial shape it has been in quite some time.