THREE ILLINOIS COUNTIES PLAN REGIONAL JAIL

ULLIN, Ill. -- Three Southern Illinois counties have given a vote of approval to a regional jail.

Groundbreaking for the Tri-County Criminal Justice Center is expected before summer.

The center, to be financed, constructed and operated by Western Corrections Group (WCG), will be built on a five-acre site off Interstate 57 near the Ullin exchange in Pulaski County.

Alexander, Pulaski and Union counties officials voted to proceed with the jail during a meeting at Shawnee Community College near here Tuesday night.

Officials from the three counties have talked with two regional jail companies. They approved the design and location of WCG.

Another company, American Corrections Management, proposed a larger jail in Johnson County near the Goreville and Lick Creek exits along Interstate 57.

Johnson County doesn't have a jail; it lodges prisoners in Massac and Saline county jails. But Johnson County officials dropped out of the planning following the first couple of meetings.

Union County voted to proceed with the project following Tuesday's meeting, said Christopher Wells, Union County state's attorney.

Union County officials had some concerns about job distribution, but it was decided that jobs at the 200-bed center would be equally distributed among the three participating counties.

Union County, which doesn't have a jail, has been using Jackson County facilities at Murphysboro, said Wells.

The new facility, which will be ready to use in 1998, will employ about 60 people.

"We're ready to see the project start," said Jeff Farris, Alexander County states attorney. "Our sheriff met with county commissioners Tuesday afternoon, and we decided to go with the new center."

Pulaski County has no jail either. It puts prisoners in Massac County Jail at Metropolis.

Alexander County is in a different position than Union and Pulaski counties. The southernmost county has a jail. "It has been kept in good condition and meets all compliances, but it's 34 years old," said Farris.

Keeping the facility in good condition and manning it is costly, said Farris. "This makes the possibility of a regional jail a good idea from our standpoint," said Farris.

Pulaski County State's Attorney Patrick Duffy couldn't be reached Wednesday. But He had indicated his interest and support earlier.

"I'm on record of favoring such a facility," said Duffy when the regional jail concept was first introduced in December 1996. "I hope we get it to work," he had said.