Dallas County plans new jail and courthouse facility

Dallas County officials are searching for a new location to build a jail and courthouse. They plan to replace the old Lew Sterrett Justice Center near Downtown Dallas. This facility has been in use for nearly 50 years and is considered outdated. The county commissioners have met to discuss options for the new site. They need to build the facility within the city limits of Dallas, as required by law. Commissioner Andy Sommerman emphasized that a new facility is necessary because the current one is too small and no longer meets modern needs. A recommendation for a new jail was made in April 2024 by the county’s Jail Facilities Advisory Committee. They suggested that a new facility with 7,200 beds would be more beneficial than renovating the existing jail. The projected cost for this new facility is around $5.3 billion, expected to be completed by 2032. The current jail is located on valuable real estate. There are possibilities that this land could be sold for a high price once the new jail is built. In the past, there were discussions about using the land for other purposes, such as a stadium. The county jail has recently passed state inspections, showing some improvements. However, the push for a new facility reflects ongoing concerns about the jail's size and condition.