Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb initiated a groundbreaking ceremony for a $1.2 billion state prison in northern Indiana
This massive prison project is set to replace two existing facilities and is the most expensive building project in Indiana's history
The new Westville Correctional Facility, located in LaPorte County, will replace the current facility of the same name and the nearby Indiana State Prison in Michigan City
The current Westville prison was repurposed over four decades ago from a state mental health center constructed in 1951
The Indiana State Prison has a long history, with its first bricks laid prior to the Civil War
The new prison, spanning 1.4 million square feet (130,064 square meters), will have the capacity to house approximately 4,200 male inmates.
Governor Holcomb has emphasized that the new facility will offer a modern and efficient environment for both inmates and over 900 Indiana Department of Correction staff members
The project aims to consolidate resources and implement vital security upgrades, expanded healthcare, education services, and a stronger recidivism program for incarcerated individuals
Notably, the new prison will include a 240-bed mental health unit to address the mental health needs of inmates.
The funding for this ambitious project was approved by the Republican-controlled General Assembly in the 2021-22 and 2023-24 state budgets