County breaks ground at new jail and health services hub
February 22, 2023
County officials gathered last Thursday to break ground at the new jail and health services site, located off Old Exeter Road, in Cassville. The county plans to have both projects complete by Summer 2024.
Adriana Keeton
Officials broke ground last Thursday, February 16, at the site of what will be home to the new Barry County Jail and Barry County Health Department in Cassville.
According to Administrator Roger Brock, the current location of the Barry County Health Department was a restaurant in the 1940s before the county purchased the property in 1954.
"With the new building we hope to be able to expand current services and add services such as fingerprinting and general services that we have been unable to provide because of limited space," said Brock.
The new larger facility will span approximately two acres and provide additional space for services needed in our county.
Of the 25-acre site, approximately five more acres will house a 100+ bed, 30,000 sq. ft. facility complete with a drive-thru sally door for safer transfer of inmates.
The facility will also be home to the Barry County Sheriff's Administration offices and will have additional multi-purpose rooms for officer training, community engagement, and resources.
I was able to sit down and talk with Sheriff Danny Boyd and Chief Deputy Major Angela Cole on Friday and tour the current facility.
The current facility in downtown Cassville is cramped and outdated, with very little book-in space, and needs more flow to run a jail effectively and safely.
"The new facility will increase officer and inmate safety, training possibilities, and community safety," Sherriff Boyd said.
"The facility will create a crucial flow that we do not have at our current facility," added Major Cole.
If all goes as planned, the county will complete both projects by the summer of 2024.
Officials broke ground last Thursday, February 16, at the site of what will be home to the new Barry County Jail and Barry County Health Department in Cassville.
According to Administrator Roger Brock, the current location of the Barry County Health Department was a restaurant in the 1940s before the county purchased the property in 1954.
"With the new building we hope to be able to expand current services and add services such as fingerprinting and general services that we have been unable to provide because of limited space," said Brock.
The new larger facility will span approximately two acres and provide additional space for services needed in our county.
Of the 25-acre site, approximately five more acres will house a 100+ bed, 30,000 sq. ft. facility complete with a drive-thru sally door for safer transfer of inmates.
The facility will also be home to the Barry County Sheriff's Administration offices and will have additional multi-purpose rooms for officer training, community engagement, and resources.
I was able to sit down and talk with Sheriff Danny Boyd and Chief Deputy Major Angela Cole on Friday and tour the current facility.
The current facility in downtown Cassville is cramped and outdated, with very little book-in space, and needs more flow to run a jail effectively and safely.
"The new facility will increase officer and inmate safety, training possibilities, and community safety," Sherriff Boyd said.
"The facility will create a crucial flow that we do not have at our current facility," added Major Cole.
If all goes as planned, the county will complete both projects by the summer of 2024.
