Crenshaw helps lead tours of the new jail

Oconee County is about to open a new $16 million jail, but from Sheriff Mike Crenshaw don’t let the price tag fool you.  Crenshaw today is helping lead tours of the new jail and prefacing the tours with caution about what the visitors will see.  Although the new jail is considered to be equipped with technology in line with 21st century penal facilities, the inmates are not going to be entering a country club.  Cell phones do not work inside the building.  There will be no television.  And prisoner visits will be conducted by video screen.  In answer to a question, Crenshaw said the jail will open for business “in the next few weeks.”  But, for security purposes, the date of occupancy will not be announced ahead of time—to allow a safe transfer of the prison population from the old jail to the new one.