PURVIS, Mississippi (WDAM) – The Lamar County Board of Supervisors is reflecting on the accomplishments of fiscal year 2024.

In addition to the road and recreation projects, the county is particularly proud of what officials call a “facelift” of the Lamar County Jail.

Until 2024, the prison had its original equipment from when it was built 23 years ago.

“We renovated the heating and air conditioning system to make it more balanced and comfortable,” said Jodie Waits, district administrator for the Lamar County Board of Supervisors.

“We replaced several prison doors and the mechanisms that went with them. So basically we gave the whole thing a new look and made it work properly.”

In fiscal year 2024, Lamar County invested nearly $5 million to modernize the jail.

Prison officials said the major investment will save the county money in the long run.

“A new chiller, which essentially helps us with air conditioning, will reduce operating costs,” said Major Mike Harlin, Lamar County Jail supervisor. “I think the group the county has chosen will actually save costs that will pay for themselves over the years.”

The upgrades are expected to have the same lifespan as the prison’s original equipment, Harlin said.

“With this change, we should actually be able to use these doors for another 20 years,” Harlin said. “That’s the key to lower maintenance costs than before versus now. Instead of working on them every day, we now have to maintain them once a month.”

Prison officials said they were particularly proud of the new roof, which not only looks good from the outside but also solves problems inside.

“For example, if there is a hurricane or a tropical storm, we don’t have to worry about water leaks or other things that could potentially damage equipment in the prison,” Harlin said.

Although prison staff continued to handle maintenance, the new improvements were designed to make operations even smoother.

“However, there was no danger of anyone being injured or harmed. This allowed us to ensure the safety of the inmates as well as the officers working at the prison,” Harlin said.

The prison also gained the ability to offer medical care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, making the Lamar County Jail one of the few facilities in the state authorized to temporarily house civilian prisoners until the patients can be transferred to appropriate mental health facilities.

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