LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- Since Lafayette Consolidated Government approved over four-hundred thousand dollars to purchase land for a new jail in June of 2023, there have been questions on if a jail is still in the process of being built.

Recent discussions surrounding a new parish jail being built stemmed from the current jail being outdated, and now with overcrowding being an issue, it is also a factor officials are taking into consideration for plans on how and when the new jail will be built.

When it comes to the Lafayette parish jail, the Sheriff’s Office is tasked with the jail’s daily operation while the city’s government is responsible for the jail’s maintenance and financial obligation. Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Blanco Boulet says plans to build a new facility is in the works, but discussions on funding is still being had.

“Today what we’re faced with is very old facilities that are not really safe for the people that work there or for the people who live there,” Boulet explained. “So right now we are working very closely with Sheriff Mark Garber to try to identify the funds.”

Boulet says building a new jail is expensive, and the previous administration looked at a proposal where two existing millages used for the operations and maintenance of the courthouse and jail would be used for funding, however, she doesn’t see that proposal as a feasible option.

“So, if we would bond those millages out, we then would not have money to operate and maintain both the courthouse and the jail. We would be in a really tough fix. I don't think that package worked,” said Boulet.

With the current jail being outdated and overcrowded, Boulet says her administration is working to put together a package leveraging everything they can in order to build a new jail. When asked if LCG is opposed to private entities providing assistance with funding, Boulet says she’s open to ideas in finding a solution.

“I'm not closed to other ideas. We are trying to be very creative, and we are trying to work with as many partners as we can to make this happen," Boulet said.

Boulet says they’re at the table being honest with one another as there are tough questions needing solutions. And as a result of that, she says new relationships between LCG and LPSO are being formed.

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