Broome Jail Expansion Project “Ahead of Schedule”

A project to add 48 beds and another medical unit to the Broome County Jail is moving forward.

Sheriff David Harder said the construction work at the town of Dickinson facility is "a little over two weeks ahead of schedule."

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Harder said the jail capacity will increase to 603 beds when the project is completed.

The sheriff said construction started in April and is scheduled to be finished next June. He said good weather has helped to keep the work moving forward.

The new medical ward will bring the county in compliance with a state requirement that men and women be treated in separate units.

Harder said the jail population fluctuates. He said the jail census October 5 was 525 inmates. 93 of those were female inmates, 10 of whom were being boarded outside the county because the Broome jail didn't have room for them.

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