Dallas County officials plan to purchase land for a new jail this year as part of an effort to replace the Lew Sterrett Justice Center complex in Dallas.
The Lew Sterrett Justice Center was built in 1993 to expand jail services in Dallas. According to Dallas County jail history, the facility was a significant improvement over the original building, alleviating overcrowding and providing a more efficient and secure environment for both inmates and staff.
In a WFAA interview, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said he hopes land for the new facility will be purchased in 2026, and the jail project will cost upwards of $5 billion. The timeline for the project could take as long as a decade, he said…