Regional Jail Would be a First For Minnesota

Four west-central Minnesota counties are participating in a feasibility study to determine if a regional jail would meet the needs of each jurisdiction.

If Stevens, Pope, Big Stone and Traverse counties agree to the project, the facility would be the first regional jail in the state, according to reports.

The counties have entered a memorandum of understanding for the investigative process and a more binding agreement could be forged if a regional jail is deemed to be a suitable answer to the counties’ needs.

Stevens County jail architect, Kline McCarthy & Co., and Pope County jail architect, Vetter Johnson Architects Inc., are working together to complete the feasibility study.

A location for the facility has not yet been determined, although the City of Morris has been proposed a potential centrally located site.

The counties have pledged to show a united front to state legislators should the project proceed.