Bigger Deschutes County Jail unveiled to public

It’s a rare sight when dozens of men and women are lining up to go into a jail, high-fiving the sheriff on the way in. But that was the scene Wednesday night as Deschutes County sheriff’s officers unveiled their sparkling new jail expansion.

“It’s been a long time and a long process for us,” said Sheriff Larry Blanton.

Plans for an expansion began back in 2005, when the county was dealing with overpopulation of jail cells that resulted in early releases under a frustrating formula known as a “matrix.”

In 2010, a $44 million bond was proposed for a much larger expansion than the one unveiled on Wednesday. But it failed to earn voter approval. So with a more modest $11 million from bonds and the county budget, construction on the 22,800-square foot facility started in August 2013.

And as onlookers celebrated with officers Wednesday night, they promised it’s a discussion they won’t have again for quite some time.

“This is it for a while,” said Blanton. “We’re not going to be adding any beds in Deschutes County for a good long time.”

The newly expanded facility holds an additional 144 beds (on top of the original 228), including areas for medical and mental health services, new laundry machines, a recreation area and a new video visitation system for every 12 jail cells.

Sound good enough to stay? Well, you just could get the chance to (sort of) for a good cause.

On Friday, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s office is holding a bed auction for the Wounded Warrior Project. For $100, residents can “buy” a bed in the jail, and all proceeds will go towards the charity for post-9/11 war veterans. The event runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday night.

Brett Miller, a spokesman for Wound Warriors, says it’s a great approach to a greater cause.

“I think it gives the community a better idea of what it takes to run a jail in-house,” Miller said.

But if you’re looking to spend a night in the big house, think again.

“It’s just for a couple of hours in the evening,” Blanton said. “Then they leave, and it’s back to business.”

And for Deschutes County, that business gets the jail ready for criminal activity in November.