TOMS RIVER-It was a project that was long opposed by the late Freeholder John Bartlett, but the Ocean County Jail is growing again. In 2011, the county approved a $64 million dollar maximum-security expansion. In 2016, a $5 million upgrade was made to the old section of the jail. Now, Freeholders are approving $50 million for a courtroom expansion to be built on top of the existing juror parking lot.
This week, the board approved a $5 million down payment to pay for the design and planning of the project.
The freeholders cited security at the county court system’s satellite facilities and staffing by the Sheriff’s Department officers.
Judge Marlene Lynch Ford claimed she was accosted by “angry litigants” after court cases.
Read the full story at the Asbury Park Press.