About the Jail Remodel and Expansion Project

Clark County Jail Services has two facilities, the main jail which is adjacent to the County Courthouse in downtown Vancouver, and a smaller facility located on Lower River Road near the Port of Vancouver. 

The main jail opened in July 1984 with a capacity of 300 beds. The facility on Lower River Road, known as the Jail Work Center, opened in 2000 but has been closed since in 2020. While there have been some updates made to the main facility, much has changed in the last 40 years and the current structure and layout of the main jail needs to be updated to accommodate current and future needs. 

Currently, Clark County is updating the Jail Work Center by adding what will be known as the J Pod. When complete, the J Pod will have 64 medium-security beds. The project is anticipated to be finished in 2026.

The county also is working on adding the H Pod in the main jail facility. This project is anticipated to completed in 2025 and will add 56 minimum-security jail beds. However, there is still much more needed for the main facility. 

At a July 21 public hearing, the Clark County Council voted to approve two resolutions for submittal of two propositions to voters related to funding critical infrastructure needs and criminal justice services. 

One resolution authorizes placing a bond measure on the November 2026 ballot and the other resolution authorizes placing a levy lid lift also on the general election ballot.

General obligation bonds

If approved by voters, the bond measure would authorize the county to issue general obligation bonds not to exceed $366,204,000. The revenue would allow the county to acquire, construct, remodel and equip the county’s public safety capital infrastructure. This includes a remodel and expansion of the Clark County Jail, adding courtrooms, and a new Sheriff’s Office headquarters. 

Levy lid lift

While the bond measure will pay for capital expenses, the levy lid lift will provide revenue to fund associated public safety positions which include correction deputies, Sheriff deputies, Prosecuting Attorney staff and other criminal justice staff. 

The proposal is to increase the tax levy to $1.15 per $1,000 of assessed value beginning in 2027. This is an approximate increase of $.044 from the 2026 tax levy. 

View the full news release.