BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Baldwin County has completed Phase 3 of its four‑phase, $62 million expansion and modernization of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Corrections Center, marking one of the most significant upgrades to the county’s correctional infrastructure in decades.
Designed by PH&J Architects, Inc., the newly finished phase delivers major improvements in capacity, safety, and operational efficiency. At the center of the project is Tower B, a new 336‑bed housing addition built to accommodate female inmates and maximum‑security populations. The tower incorporates modern classification standards, improved sightlines, and detention‑grade safety features intended to reduce risk for both inmates and staff.
Construction for Phase 3 was led by Wharton‑Smith, Inc., a national contractor known for large‑scale public safety, municipal, and water‑infrastructure projects. The firm oversaw structural work, secure‑facility systems, and the integration of specialized components required for modern correctional environments.
Phase 3 also includes a new Booking and Intake Building, replacing an outdated intake area that had long been strained by the county’s growing jail population. The upgraded facility expands holding capacity, improves medical and mental‑health screening flow, and enhances officer safety in what is typically the highest‑risk operational zone of any jail.
A new central kitchen, constructed within Tower B, now serves the entire 985‑bed complex, consolidating food‑service operations into a single, modernized hub designed for high‑volume production, improved sanitation, and more efficient staffing.
To prepare for future needs, the county also built a “shelled” floor within the new tower — an unfinished level that can later be built out to add 96 to 128 additional beds without major new construction. County officials say the approach provides long‑term flexibility and cost savings as Baldwin County continues to grow.
Phase 3 is part of a multi‑year effort to expand capacity, modernize infrastructure, and bring the corrections center in line with contemporary safety and operational standards. Earlier phases focused on structural upgrades, renovations to existing housing units, and modernization of mechanical and security systems. The upcoming Phase 4 will address remaining renovations and operational improvements across the complex.
County leaders say the expansion positions the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office to meet long‑term population demands while improving safety, efficiency, and compliance with modern correctional standards.
Photo Credit: PH&J Architects
Photo Credit: PH&J Architects
