Some services begin operating from new Alpena County Jail
ALPENA, Mich. — The Alpena County Sheriff’s Office announced the opening of their new jail and administrative building off of M-32 this weekend.
Currently, administrative services have moved into and began operating our of the building. Services now being conducted at the new office includes administrative offices, deputies and road patrol, animal control, SOR verification, fingerprints, License to Purchase applications, gun permits, and information requests.
“Compared to the old jail this is absolutely a beautiful facility,” Alpena County Sheriff Steven Kieliszewski said. “It feels good to finally be out here. It’s been a long haul for us.”
The new building cost about $11.6 million. The county began the design process in 2017 and finished construction this spring after the original roof needed a replacement.
“There was an awful lot of time and effort put into the planning and designing of it, and getting things rolling,” Kieliszewski said. “Now that we’re finally here, it sure is nice.”
Those interested can view a virtual tour of the new jail online here. As COVID-19 restrictions ease, Kieliszewski would like to open the building for public tours prior to inmates moving in. Right now, there are just a few more steps left until the inmates take up the new building as well.
“Right now what we’re doing is hiring correction staff, we need to get those corrections staff trained,” Kieliszewski said. “Once we get that staff we’ll be able to move the inmates out here.”
Currently, inmates are housed at the Johnson Street facility. Kieliszewski says he expects them to be moved into the new building by the end of summer, and the county plans to put the old jail up for bids.
