Sheriff Paul Heroux: Close New Bedford's Ash Street Jail, an 'outdated money pit'

DARTMOUTH — Posed with costly long-term repairs to the 136-year-old Ash Street Jail, Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux is renewing his call to close it and move all inmates to the Dartmouth house of correction.

The jail's brick work was recently checked by a structural engineering firm.

It found no immediate safety issue, but did recommend temporary repair measures before winter, and permanent repairs within a few years.

Heroux said the short-term fix will cost about $35,000 but the long-term fix will cost over $3.8 million.

He said it doesn't make sense to spend $3.8 million on a building that's costing about $5 million a year to operate.

The move will also improve safety, he said.

Ash Street Jail holds regional detainees from 19 of the county's 20 police departments, sentenced inmates, and inmates awaiting trial, Heroux said.

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Estimated costs in the $3 million to $4 million range

His plan would require an appropriation from the state to redesign a retrofit for an unused kitchen on the Dartmouth campus for the regional detainees' holding cells. That's estimated at $750,000.

The retrofit would cost an estimated $3 million to $4 million, he said, and require a second appropriation.

The 80 or so regular inmates would be moved Dartmouth, where they would be put in existing unused housing units.

Ash Street Jail would be turned back over to the state for sale to a private developer or some other yet to be determined use, he said.

Savings would include $700,000 each year that won’t be spent on utilities and other maintenance at Ash Street Jail.

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Correction officers would also move to Dartmouth campus

Ash Street's 45 to 50 correction officers would also move to Dartmouth, consolidating the security operation on one campus and increasing safety.

Heroux said state legislators have expressed support in helping him close this "outdated money pit," including state Rep. Chris Markey, D-Dartmouth, who has said he would file the needed legislation.