Year in Review: Escambia jail explosion
- December 27, 2014
- / Shannon Nickinson
- / government
April 30 was not the first time Central Booking and Detention facility flooded.
But when the historic rainfall that hit the area that day caused flooding at central booking, it caused a natural gas leak that led to a deadly explosion that killed two inmates, left one corrections officer paralyzed and injured 184 people.
The aftermath of that was a huge issue in 2014 and will continue to be in 2015.
— A grand jury reviewed the incident and found no criminal charges were warranted, but they did recommend significant changes in policies and management at the jail. That includes putting the jail back under the supervision of the Escambia Sheriff’s Office.
— Now Escambia County Commissioners must grapple with the issue of where to rebuild the jail. Ten sites are under consideration, including the current location. The project is likely to take three years to complete and costs are estimated at $161 million.
— This month, Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown has hired Michael Tidwell as the new corrections director for the county. He has more than 30 years of experience in the field and officially starts on Jan. 28.
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