Upgrades for county jail

Upgrades in the booking and intercom systems at the county jail were approved last week by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners.

The five-member board authorized a $178,000 quote from Midstate Jail Security, one of three bidders for the project. Sheriff’s department officials said the current intercom/speaker system is outdated and spare parts are too difficult – and in some cases, impossible – to find.

The improvement will allow for future camera upgrades as needed.

The county had budgeted $100,000 for the project. Funds will come from the general budget as well as unexpected revenue the sheriff’s department incurred last year for doing security work for Enbridge and its pipeline project.