By Paige Gurgainers

A brief update was given on Wednesday, November 6, at the Webster Parish Police Jury (WPPJ) meeting in regard to the new women’s prison to be located on Penal Farm Road in Minden.  

Back in August of this year, WPPJ President Jim Bonsall informed the jury that plans were at a standstill due to bidders coming in way over the budget of $4.6M with the lowest bidder entering at $7.2M. 

The jury voted to approve a motion allowing Cothren, Graff and Smoak Engineering to advertise to bid for the facility following a revision of plans.  

“We made some changes to the prison,” said Bonsall. “We changed up some specs on the building and moved the kitchen inside. A lot of little things that we hope will get us closer to the money.” 

The new bid will open on December 2. The next WPPJ is set to be held on Tuesday, December 3. The jury will review the bids in hopes of accepting one on the same day due to the contract needing to be signed by December 31, 2024 in order to use the $2M the WPPJ received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) following the Covid pandemic.