FARMINGTON — The Franklin County jail will have a new minimum security area when the facility returns to full-time status April 1, Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. said Friday.

A block wall filled with concrete was built in the former multipurpose room. The 8½-foot wall is still curing but will be ready when the jail opens, Nichols said.

The wall divides a newly created sleeping area from two picnic-style tables. There are five sets of custom-made metal bunk beds in the sleeping area. The tables will be welded to the floor and the bunk beds secured to the wall.

After the room is painted, a television will be set up on a wall near the locked door that leads to the corridor, Nichols said.

The plan is to increase the number of permanent beds from 29 to 40.

Renovations are also underway in a visiting room to make it so there is no physical contact between inmates and visitors.

Initially, the jail was expected to be ready in early March to return to full-time status from a 72-hour holding facility, but contracts for medical, mental and educational services for inmates will not go into effect until April 1.

The Board of Corrections gave permission in January for the change in status in order to ease overcrowding in the statewide consolidated county jail system. It means people who are arrested will be housed at the county jail and not be transferred to Somerset County Jail in Madison if they cannot make bail within 72 hours.

A cook supervisor has been hired and interviews were conducted Thursday to hire a cook and part-time cook.

It is all coming together, Nichols said.

dperry@sunjournal.com