Phenix City expands jail, creates 13 new jobs

By The Associated Press
PHENIX CITY, Alabama — An overcrowded Alabama correctional facility is building an addition to the jail and creating jobs in the process.
The $3 million project will add more than 13,000 square feet to the current Russell County facility, which is equipped to house 226 inmates. Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor says the jail is currently housing up to 400 inmates.
The new addition to the 20-year-old facility will help ease the burden of staffing an overcrowded jail, when at times one officer is alone to monitor dozens of inmates.
The expansion will also allow for 13 additional employees to be hired at the facility.