Weekly Connections March 2nd, 2026

Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of March 2.

Let's get started with project updates:

1. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and other state officials broke ground on the new $147 million Maryland Supreme Court building, with project completion expected in early 2029. Governor Moore Highlights Generational Investment in Maryland's Judicial System at State-of-the-Art Supreme Court Groundbreaking
2. The Lee County Board of Supervisors in Mississippi has approved design plans for a new adult detention center, with a project cost starting at $97.8 million. Lee County Officials Take Next Step in Adult Detention Center Construction
3. Construction is progressing on the new $62.5 million Pender County Law Enforcement Center project in North Carolina, with completion expected later this year. Pender County Building 103,000-Square-Foot Law Enforcement Center With 232-bed Jail
4. The DeKalb County Commission in Tennessee voted to approve $35 million in funding to build a new 182-bed jail in Smithville. Commission Votes on $35 Million Jail Funding
5. In Bucks County, Pa., a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the new $19.8 million Diversion, Assessment, Restoration and Treatment (DART) Center. Bucks County Unveils Completed DART Mental Health Center
6. Later this month, a new 72,000-square-foot expansion of the Wayne County, Ohio Jail will open, increasing the county's capacity from 80 to 200 beds. Wayne County Marks Opening of New Jail

Up next in legislation and funding:

1. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry is seeking an additional $82 million in funding for the state's corrections department in the next fiscal-year budget. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry Proposes $82 Million Increase for Prisons
2. Officials in Monroe County, Ind., are debating the budget for a new county jail facility, with proposals ranging from $118 million to $170 million. Monroe County Jail Project Focus Shifts to Site, Amid Disagreement on Financing Outlook

Moving on to people news:

1. John Murad has been named commissioner of the Vermont Department of Corrections. Jon Murad Named Vermont DOC Commissioner

Next, in construction reports:

1. Washington County in Oregon has issued an RFP for architecture and engineering firms to conduct a jail expansion feasibility and visioning study, with proposals due March 13. Questions must be submitted electronically via the OpenGov Procurement Portal. Jail Expansion Feasibility and Visioning Study
2. Gadsden County, Fla., is requesting qualified general contractors to provide CMAR services on the new $17.6 million Gadsden County Public Safety Complex project, with bids due March 24. Direct questions to Brian Yarbrough with Clemons, Rutherford & Associates at 850-385-6153 or byarbrough@craarchitects.com. Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners
3. The LaFourche Parish Sheriff's Office in Louisiana has issued an RFQ for preconstruction and CMAR services for the new 64-bed River Parishes Regional Juvenile Detention Center, with bids due March 26. Direct question to Bill Petersen with Grace Design Studios at 337-513-0760 or bpetersen@grace-design.com. River Parishes Regional Juvenile Detention Center

And finishing up with events:

1. Correctional News is hosting a free live webinar, "The Facility Factor: How Your Building is Driving Turnover and Liability," featuring Felice Upton of Felice Upton Consulting LLC, on March 12. The Facility Factor: How Your Building is Driving Turnover and Liability
2. The International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association's 2026 Conference and Expo will take place March 16–21 in St. Louis. 2026 ILEETA Conference and Expo
3. The Correctional Leaders Association's Spring Deputy Directors and Probation and Parole Conference will take place March 24–27 in Hilton Head, S.C. CLA 2026 Events
4. The premiere episode of Correctional News's new Corrections Connections docuseries, showcasing New York state's Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, is now available. Corrections Connections Docuseries/Podcast

For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.