Gratitude, pride and a sense of accomplishment were in the air on the warm, cloudless morning of June 12, when about 200 local citizens and dignitaries gathered to witness a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Plumas County Sheriff’s Office Correctional Facility.
Sheriff Todd Johns welcomed everyone, including officers from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office and visitors who were involved in the design and construction. He noted that the $25 million project was only about $60,000 over budget at completion, or about one fourth of 1% — impressively close for a project of this size. When he shared that information with other law enforcement leaders around the state, Johns said, “They were shocked. They had never heard of that anywhere in any project in the state of California.”
“It was the direct result of the hard work and tireless efforts by two employees,” said Johns. He credited Jail Commander Steve Clark and Undersheriff Chad Hermann with keeping the construction project on track and on budget. “I cannot take credit for this,” he said. “It was their hard work from the beginning.” Johns also thanked the sheriff’s office employees, their families and the community.
In his remarks, Hermann emphasized the cooperation among county departments that was necessary to get the jail built. It was “probably the greatest example of teamwork that I’ve seen during my career on a county project,” he said. He spoke of his pride in being a part of the effort. Hermann said the sheriff’s office was able to get the project done while operating with a short staff, and acknowledged the time and effort the staff committed outside of their routine duties.
Architect Mike Conder expressed appreciation for the collaboration among all the county departments involved over the last nine years.
Clark and Hermann then cut the ribbon, and the crowd was invited in to explore the new jail, ask questions and enjoy food and beverages prepared by inmates through the jail’s culinary program. Chef instructor Sean Conry said he is looking forward to moving his operation into the new space. “The new facility is more modern, clean, and it will be a good transition for workers to work in a more modern kitchen,” he said.
Inside, as officials and the public mingled and discussed the new jail’s features, District Attorney David Hollister shared his gratitude. “I can’t give enough appreciation to the sheriff’s office and their willingness to collaborate. As we know, when the first application went through for a brick-and-mortar, traditional jail, it was rejected.” Hollister said that the project’s success is largely owed to sheriff’s office officials and their willingness to collaborate with his office’s alternative sentencing program. Managed by Stephanie Tanaka, it assists inmates during their incarceration through community service and on re-entry into society.
“That’s what put us over the top. I can’t give enough credit to Stephanie Tanaka and her expertise,” Hollister said.
