Hancock County Sheriff’s Garrison Honor Guard raise flags during the ceremony for the new jail. Sunday, May 1, 2022.
Tom Russo | Daily Reporter
HANCOCK COUNTY — With one swipe of the oversized scissors, Sheriff Brad Burkhart cut the long, bright-green ribbon, officially dedicating the new Hancock County Sheriff’s Offices and Jail Sunday, May 1.
“It’s a historical event,” Burkhart said.
Standing in front of the multi-million facility that will also house addiction and recovery programs, a crowd of over 200 county residents and officials watched Burkhart, who handled the opening ceremonies. Burkhart fought back emotions at times when he described what it’s been like bringing the vision for a new state-of-the-art jail, which began some six years ago, to life.
“I am very proud, humbled and blessed to serve as the sheriff and stand before you to open this new facility,” Burkhart said.
Calling the structure much more than a jail, Burkhart reminded those in attendance that many people who are incarcerated need help, and the new jail —unlike the current one — is equipped to provide that type of community service.
Burkhart noted exactly 34 years ago on May 1, 1988, former sheriff Nick Gulling dedicated the county’s fifth sheriff’s office and jail. Due to the forethought and work that went into the design of the new jail, Burkhart believes county officials won’t have to dedicate another facility for several decades.
The jail and new administrative offices are estimated to cost between $38 to $43 million, officials said. The facility is approximately 135,000 square feet with 107,000 of that dedicated to the jail and the rest set aside for administrative offices.
With a total of 446 beds and plenty of space for growth inside and outside, Burkhart said the state-of-the-art facility will have many self-help programs and an outdoor area with a garden for inmates to tend in the not-too-distant future.
While the facility won’t officially be open for inmates until sometime in June, the administrative staff is expected to start moving in as soon as Monday, May 9. They’ll be open to serve the community May 16.
The wind gusted at a steady pace throughout the hour-long ceremony as the American, State of Indiana and Hancock County flags were raised by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Honor Guard to help dedicate the facility.
County Commissioner President John Jessup spoke during the open ceremony and thanked Burkhart, who he said has given his heart and soul to the project, which had to endure countless delays because of COVID and supply shortages.
“Thank God we’re finally getting ready to cut the ribbon and move on,” Jessup said.
County Council president Bill Bolander noted the jail project has been a cumulative effort by nearly every governing body in the county.
“Look at what we’ve got now — it’s great,” Bolander said. “It’s one of the best facilities out there, and there is room for rehabilitation.”
Among those in attendance, Greenfield Police Department chief Brian Hartman took a tour of the new facility last week and called it a great structure.
“I have to give the Sheriff a lot of credit because he built this thing right,” Hartman said. “They can now house many inmates and even bring in other inmates from other places.”
Former county sheriff Mike Shepherd attended the opening ceremony and said he was proud of Burkhart who worked as his deputy chief for seven years and took on the heavy task of starting to plan for the new jail when he was still the deputy chief. Shepherd said back then Burkhart realized there were major problems with overcrowding and addiction and set out to make sure something positive would get done.
“He’s done a great job and really took over that project when his administration took over,” Shepherd said.
In addition to dedicating the new facility, Burkhart announced the road heading to the jail will be called Malcolm Grass Way in honor of the late sheriff who was killed in the line of duty in 1986. Burkhart also dedicated another road on the grounds as Gulling Street.
Before closing out the ceremony and giving a tour of the new facility to nearly all who attended the ceremony, Burkhart thanked his administrative staff including his deputy chief, Robert Campbell, and Capt. Robert Harris, along with jail commander, Bridget Foy. He became emotional when he talked about his family, particularly his wife and how they had sacrificed over the last several years while he worked, sometimes nonstop, on the new jail.
Burkhart and his staff will host two more open house events so others can come in and see the major county project. The next open house is slated for 3-7 p.m. Friday, May 6 and then again from noon to 6 p.m Saturday, May, 7.
