Hernando County, FL – Operational needs at the Hernando County Detention Center have remained largely unchanged for more than 15 years, but county officials say long-standing facility challenges are now being addressed through a practical, cost-conscious improvement plan already showing measurable progress.
According to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, the detention center has faced structural and operational issues since the agency assumed responsibility for the facility in 2010, following an independent consultant’s report that criticized the building’s overall condition. While routine maintenance has helped stabilize daily operations, officials said several core problems required more than temporary fixes.
Rather than waiting years for large-scale funding tied to the facility’s long-term master plan, Sheriff Al Nienhuis and detention center leadership approved a series of targeted improvements designed to reduce expenses, improve safety, and support more efficient operations.
The project includes construction of an onsite warehouse with expanded freezer capacity, allowing the detention center to eliminate an offsite storage lease costing approximately $50,000 annually. The additional freezer space will also allow bulk food purchases, reducing long-term operating costs.
The plan also replaces the aging visitation building, which officials said was no longer serviceable and would have required extensive repairs exceeding the cost of replacement. A new visitation structure is expected to improve safety and provide a more appropriate environment for visitors.
Additionally, the detention center is replacing and expanding its maintenance building to meet growing operational demands. The new facility includes an inmate work area where selected inmates can gain hands-on maintenance skills to support employment opportunities after release.
The full project scope, including demolition, utilities, HVAC, security systems, and interior build-outs, was approved with a not-to-exceed budget of $350,000. County staff approved the plan in April 2025.
As of December 15, 2025, all three buildings have been assembled, with electrical work underway. Plumbing, internet, security cameras, and HVAC installation are scheduled next, and completion is anticipated in early 2026.
Officials emphasized that the improvements are funded entirely through revenues generated by housing federal inmates and Pasco County inmates, with no local tax dollars used.
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