After twister, jail housing is almost ready

The temporary structure was destroyed in a Dec. 16 tornado. It could reopen today.

By MOLLY MOORHEAD, Times Staff Writer
Published February 1, 2008

LAND O'LAKES - Forty-five days after a pre-dawn tornado tore apart a temporary housing structure at the county jail, work is nearly complete on its replacement.

The total cost of the twister's damage: between $1.2-million and $1.3-million, Sheriff Bob White said Thursday.

Early on Dec. 16, detention staff evacuated 185 inmates from two tent-like structures moments before the tornado struck, demolishing one of the tents and damaging the second. No one was injured. Both were erected as extra quarters to ease overcrowding.

Since then, contractors, county staff and jail inmates have been working to rebuild. The costs will be covered by a variety of county sources, including risk management funds and insurance.

The total price tag includes the cost of housing displaced inmates in surrounding counties' jails. Fifty-five women remain at the privately-run jail in Hernando County, which is charging Pasco $56 per day for each inmate, Major Brian Head said.

The structure that was left standing, which received some exterior damage, has since been repaired and reopened to male inmates, Head said.

The new building - an exact copy of the one that was destroyed - could be ready for inmates as soon as today. With rows of bunks and picnic tables in a gymnasium-like setting, it can house 118 women. The bathroom stalls were salvaged from the earlier building, White said.

Still, it's only temporary and the sheriff said the replacement is probably no better equipped to handle severe weather.

Work is scheduled to begin later this year on a three-story, $17-million permanent jail expansion.

Molly Moorhead can be reached at moorhead@sptimes.com or 727 869-6245.

By the numbers 

$1.2-1.3M Total cost of the twister's damage.

185 Number of inmates evacuated before the tornado.

55 Number of female Pasco inmates still in Hernando's jail.

$56 Cost per day to house those inmates.

[Last modified January 31, 2008, 22:52:55]