The walls are going up at the new Maricopa County facility that will bring increased efficiency to the way people are booked into jail, assessed, and treated. On February 8, county and municipal leaders joined the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and Sheriff Paul Penzone for a ceremonial signing of a building wall.
The Maricopa County Intake, Transfer, and Release Facility will replace the aging Durango Jail. It includes 1280 beds as well as a 512-bed holding area for people released within 72 hours.
“Public safety is a core function of what we do as a county government and jails are a necessary component,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Steve Chucri, District 2. “The new jail will make the booking process more efficient and streamlined, which will allow officers to be back on the streets for a safer community.”
The Maricopa County Intake, Transfer, and Release Facility was designed around efficiency. The layout will allow law enforcement officers to spend less time in booking facilities and more time patrolling the streets.
The facility will also better accommodate treatment and educational programs that can help reduce recidivism.
“The Maricopa County Intake, Transfer, and Release Facility is not just another jail. It applies science and best practices to the facility design,” said Supervisor Steve Gallardo, District 5. “It will help us achieve our goal of giving people in custody a better chance of success when they’re out.”
Physical and mental health care services will be on site. Maricopa County staff will be able to give evidence-based treatment right away and connect people with community resources, so that they can continue treatment when they get out.
Construction is scheduled to be complete by early 2020.