With the recent transfer of prisoners to a Carthage facility and the closing of the Attala County Jail, the Attala County Sheriff’s headquarters has been relocated.
The department has been moved to 102 Ridgewood Circle, off Highway 12 West, near the Attala County Nursing Center and Autumn Ridge Dental.
“It’s a big step up,” said Sheriff Tim Nail about the new location.
The building originally housed a therapy center for Montfort Jones Memorial Hospital until it was moved to Parkway Plaza.
After having been vacant for several years, Nail said the building was remodeled to fit the needs of the Sheriff’s department at a cost of approximately $25,000.
Nail said the new offices are allowing his staff to conduct business in a more organized manner and more efficiently. Spacious grounds surrounding the facility also provide more parking, while street traffic is kept to a minimum.
“One of the biggest improvements is having a meeting room where we can all gather and not be crowded,” Nail said.
Personnel have their own spaces which allow them to better carry out their duties, and more storage space is a definite improvement over the previous location. There are separate offices designated for Sheriff, Sergeant, K-9 Patrol, Investigator and Evidence Room. An up-to-date kitchenette provides the area to spend breaks.
A lobby and glassed-in reception area are the first improvements noticeable by the public
Along the wall of a hallway leading to the offices is a listing of Attala County sheriffs dating back to 1834 along with pictures of most of those who served.
Without a jail facility, Nail said suspects are now brought to the office if there is a need for an interview, but if arrests are made for a misdemeanor, the transport officer takes them to Carthage.
Nail said an open house is planned and the public will be invited to see the new facility in the near future.
