Jail is often seen only as a place of punishment, but for the men and women inside Alachua County’s facility, it can also be a turning point -- a chance to confront struggles with addiction, finish an education, or prepare for life on the outside.
For nearly three decades, the Alachua County Commission has contracted with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) to operate the county jail. The county funds maintenance, programming and staffing, while ACSO manages daily operations and inmate care.
“We’re proud of this strong partnership between county government and the sheriff’s office,” said Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman. “Together, we’re committed to ensuring public safety, upholding the law with integrity, and providing responsible, efficient correctional services that reflect the values of our community.”
A Long History
Alachua County’s first jail was built in 1858. Due to space constraints and security concerns, a series of additional facilities were constructed over the years.
The current facility, located at 3333 NE 39th Ave. in Gainesville, opened in 1976 at a cost of $2.5 million. Since then, the structure has undergone several expansions and major renovations, including the construction in 1994 of what is now the core facility, where most inmate pods are located.
Today, the jail spans 314,000 square feet and contains 1,148 beds for inmates, many of whom are awaiting trial or serving their sentence.
In October 2023, the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission (FCAC) recognized the jail with its fourth Excelsior Award. It is the most prestigious level of accreditation offered by FCAC and is awarded to agencies with a long history of meeting the standards of excellence in correctional practices.
"We know jail is the last place someone wants to be,” said Sheriff Chad Scott. “But we also know it is sometimes a necessary step to protect the public and help people work through the struggles they face.”
Rehabilitation and Programming
While incarceration is viewed as a punishment, county leaders also emphasize the importance of rehabilitation. The jail currently offers 24 programs designed to support inmates, including:
- Parenting and anger management classes
- Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous sessions
- Substance abuse intervention with Meridian Healthcare counselors
- GED preparation and testing
- Book clubs for adults and juveniles
- Veteran outreach programs
- Life skills training on employment, finances, and more
The Alachua County Library District also maintains a staffed library inside the jail.
In 2023, the County Commission expanded support by funding free, unlimited phone calls for inmates, giving them better access to family, friends and legal counsel.
Studies show that free calls not only save families money but also lead to better outcomes for inmates upon release, including better parent-child relationships and reduced recidivism.
Health care is also a priority. The jail's contracted healthcare provider, Wellpath, delivers medical, dental, and mental health services to those in need. Inmates can have labs run, wound care, X-rays, ultrasounds and more. The mental health department includes professionals who can offer counseling, medications and suicide precautions.
Helping After Release
The County Commission is the largest funder of the Released Reentry Program, a nonprofit launched in 2023 by Executive Director Emily Westerholm. She previously volunteered at the jail and quickly saw the need for a reentry program.
The program assists formerly incarcerated individuals with reentering society, helping with IDs, transportation, housing, probation requirements, employment, peer support and mental health support.
“There are more people impacted by the criminal justice system than people realize, especially in Florida,” Westerholm said. “We hope to change the narrative about what people immediately think about when they learn someone was once incarcerated. It is just one small slice of a person’s story — it should not define them.”
The program’s staff of seven all have personal experience with incarceration and provide peer-based guidance aimed at reducing recidivism.
Similarly, ACSO is preparing to launch its CHANGE program (Counseling, Housing, Academics, Nutrition, Groups, and Employment), which will support individuals during incarceration and provide a bridge to the Released Reentry Program.
Staffing and Support
Staffing shortages at jails are a challenge around the state. As such, counties must strike a balance between offering competitive pay and benefits for officers.
The jail employs 260 sworn officers and 76 civilians (non-sworn) who are responsible for the custody and care of inmates. The County Commission recently approved an increase in starting salaries of officers to $57,500.
ACSO also offers recruitment and retention incentives, offering up to $8,000 for new detention officers, deputies, and telecommunicators. Up to $10,000 is offered for certified/sworn detention officers.
“Our people are the backbone of this facility,” Jail Director Maj. Dorian Keith said. “These pay scale changes reflect the commission and sheriff’s commitment to recruit and retain top-tier professionals who ensure safety and security for both staff and inmates.”
Energy Efficiency and Future Needs
Between 2000 and 2013, nearly $13 million was invested in upgrades to significantly improve the jail’s energy efficiency, making it one of the more advanced and sustainable correctional facilities of its time.
Those improvements included:
- Installation of 92 solar panels with a 9,000-gallon hot water storage tank, designed to work in tandem with the new high-efficiency boilers to supply domestic hot water.
- A 754-ton high-efficiency Systecon chiller plant with two cooling towers to support air conditioning.
- More than 5 miles of insulated piping.
- Energy-efficient kitchen and laundry appliances.
- Over 200,000 pounds of sprayed polyurethane foam roofing, topped with a reflective acrylic coating, to increase insulation value and reduce heat load on the building.
These upgrades reduced energy use and lowered operating costs by more than $300,000 each year.
In January 2025, Facilities Director Travis Parker reported to commissioners that the jail is due for another major overhaul, identifying up to $81.7 million in repairs for plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and structural systems.
The County Commission is considering a phased renovation plan while also weighing the possibility of building a new jail.
“We understand the importance of maintaining a safe and functional facility, and also know that every dollar counts,” Parker said. “That’s why we’re committed to approaching this with innovation and smart planning to make the most of taxpayer funds.”