By Jon Johnson
GREENLEE COUNTY – Greenlee County is considering options for its aging jail, including the potential construction of a new facility that could cost more than $30 million.
The county has historically operated only two jails: an old block of cells originally from the Yuma Territorial Prison (now open for public tours) and its current facility, which opened in March 1979. The shift to the existing jail came only after the potential threat of a court order.
During its Tuesday meeting, the Greenlee County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the formation of a jail committee to evaluate the best path forward for the deteriorating facility.
An agenda item focused on jail costs and potential solutions initially sparked concerns among law enforcement that closure might be under consideration. County administrators clarified that such discussions were premature.
County Manager Derek Rapier presented details on the jail’s operating expenses, the board’s responsibilities for jail facilities, and various options.
Built between 1978 and 1979 for about $877,000, the current jail was designed with 30 bunks under 1970s-era punitive standards—far different from today’s emphasis on rehabilitation and re-entry. Over the years, it has undergone upgrades, including a specialized holding cell for at-risk individuals.
“A modern jail looks entirely different than a jail almost 50 years ago,” Rapier noted.
The county has analyzed jail costs for four years, though it is only one year into the current sheriff’s administration.
Maintenance expenses are climbing as the building ages, with needs including a new roof and other major repairs. For fiscal year 2026, the county budgeted $2.27 million for jail operations and anticipates spending around $2.24 million.
The average daily cost per inmate has remained stable over the past three years. Still, the average daily population has tripled—from about 5.5 inmates in 2023 to roughly 16 now, peaking at 19 last month under Sheriff Eric Ellison.
Rapier shared data on transporting inmates to Graham County’s Adult Detention Facility as a contingency if the local jail became unusable, but he and other speakers strongly discouraged full outsourcing.
“Finances are an important component of this analysis, but they are not the only component and not by far,” Rapier emphasized. “While you can’t walk away from the numbers, you can’t make the mistake of saying the numbers tell the entire story.”
Among the options Rapier outlined:
- Building a new jail: Estimated at up to $30 million. With no immediate funds available, the county would explore financing options such as bonds or a jail district (similar to Graham County’s approach, funded by a half-cent sales tax approved in 2014 and running through 2040 for its $25 million, 68,000-square-foot facility, opened in 2017).
- Renovating the existing facility: Roughly $15 million, potentially in phases to minimize disruptions, though some inmates might need temporary housing elsewhere during work.
- Outsourcing inmates to other counties, or a hybrid approach combining elements of the above.
Rapier recommended reviving a prior jail committee — now including Sheriff Ellison — to investigate federal or state funding, collect better data, and guide decisions.
Sheriff Ellison and Jail Commander Tyler Attaway attended, prepared to advocate for retaining the local jail amid rumors of closure, with support from department members and the public. Both endorsed the formation of the committee after the presentation.
Chairman David Gomez assured Ellison that prior discussions had focused on renovation or new construction, not closure. “That’s never been our plan. Never has been and isn’t at this current time either,” Gomez said. He also praised Ellison for significantly improving the sheriff’s office.
Attaway appreciated the presentation but felt some data leaned toward outsourcing. He suggested modeling a new facility after the former Eastern Arizona Juvenile Detention Facility in Safford, noting it would suit the current site well.
Several community members spoke during the public comment period in support of maintaining a functioning jail in Greenlee County.
