Virginia's 22nd regional jail is officially open.
The 677-bed Meherrin River Regional Jail is located along U.S. Route 1 near Alberta. It will house inmates from Dinwiddie, Brunswick and Mecklenburg counties.
The Progress-Index reports that local officials held a grand opening for the $55 million facility on Wednesday. It will begin receiving inmates on July 9.
The regional jail has created more than 120 new jobs. It also will maintain the positions of 69 people employed at local facilities.
Local officials began discussing the need for a regional jail in 2006 due to overcrowding at outdated local facilities.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
