MACON, Ga. — Sheriff David Davis sent a letter to the Macon-Bibb mayor and commissioners asking to get the process started on building a new jail after four inmates escaped over three weeks ago from the current one.
In the letter, Davis asks that the process begin on evaluating the current and future space needs.
He said he would like for them to go ahead and issue a request for proposal from professional services to start developing a space needs analysis and a plan for the new jail.
This is to help determine the potential costs of the new facility for future SPLOST planning.
Davis also addressed that while he hopes the commission will take the appropriate steps to get the process going, he will continue to address security and structural issues at the current jail.
“I look forward to working with my fellow county leaders to address these issues, as well as the logistics and funding for the eventual construction of a new jail complex,” he said. “Working together we can achieve a goal which is essential for the safety of our community.”
Three of the four inmates involved in the recent escape are still on the run.
The FBI says it's possible Joey Fournier, Johnifer Barnwell and Marc Anderson could be in South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia or West Virginia.
The Atlanta office says this does not mean they're expanding the search.
Instead, the agency says all three inmates may have ties in those states, but they have no specific reason to believe they're anywhere in particular. The FBI says they're only sending information to news outlets in those states to get extra tips and get people to keep a lookout for the inmates.
Here is the full letter sent to to the Macon-Bibb mayor and commissioners:
“Dear Mayor and Commissioners,
As you know, over the past few years conditions of the Bibb County jail have been an ongoing topic of community and government conversation. It has been clear for quite some time that efforts should be undertaken to construct a new jail complex to replace the current antiquated and deteriorating structure. The recent escape of four inmates from the facility has brought a renewed focus to this issue. While it is certainly not the only factor which led to the escape, the conditions of the complex were a contributing factor.
This letter is to express my support for your desire to make the building of a new jail a priority as you plan for the future of Macon-Bibb County and, in particular, the projects that could be included in the next SPLOST ballot.
In considering a new jail complex, the first step is to evaluate the current and future space needs. I would recommend that the County issue an RFP for Professional Services to develop the space to develop a space needs analysis and a conceptual plan for a new facility. This information is a vital component in determining cost projections for a future SPLOST. To that end, my staff and I are ready to begin this process in conjunction with the Macon-Bibb County Procurement office. I would hope that the commission will take appropriate actions to coordinate the involvement of the Macon-Bibb County Procurement office in this process.
In the meantime, we will continue to address security and structural issues at the current jail. These continued efforts will of course, involve a commitment of funding resources. I look forward to working with my fellow county leaders to address these issues, as well as the logistics and funding for the eventual construction of a new jail complex.
Working together we can achieve a goal which is essential for the safety of our community.”