Sheriff estimates jail repairs at approximately $500k


Vance County Sheriff Peter White appeared before the Vance County Board of Commissioners on Monday night with news that he estimates the cost of needed repairs at the Vance County jail at half a million dollars.

Among more minor repairs that have already been made, White said that control panels need to be upgraded, locks need to be replaced, an intercom system needs to be installed, plumbing needs to be repaired, the ceiling needs work, food slots are necessary for cell doors, and fencing needs to be installed.

White pointed out that the intercom system alone is estimated to cost $242,000.

The Sheriff also told commissioners that he does not know what else will be uncovered when work begins.

White asked that an architect be retained to manage the project. Specifically, he advised the commission to retain Surapon Sujjavanich, who originally built the jail.

The Sheriff said that he did not “think it would be fair to the citizens of the county [to do otherwise]”.

When asked by Commissioner Danny Wright about when the repairs must be made, County Manager Jerry Ayscue said that the state wants a commitment to fix the jail. He advised commissioners that if the commitment is shown, “they’ll work with us”.

Ayscue seemed confident that some of the repairs could be budgeting in the next fiscal year.

When asked by Commissioner Scott Hughes about the frequency of inspections, which are conducted twice a year, White noted that the most recent inspection was done by the chief jail inspector for the state.

White said that the chief jail inspector “chastised” some of his people.

A motion to ask Sujjavanich to supervise the project and authorize the County Manager to secure his services passed unanimously.