Advocates opposed to new $1B jail in Jacksonville argue money could be better spent on community needs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the city of Jacksonville considers plans for a new jail, community members are pushing back with a rally organized by the Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC).

The “No New Jail Rally” is set to take place at 4 p.m. Tuesday on the steps of City Hall, just before the city council‘s regular meeting.

The rally aims to condemn any plans to allocate public funds for building a new jail, with organizers arguing that the city’s resources could be better spent addressing pressing community concerns.

Monica Gold, one of the rally’s organizers, expressed fears of a “backroom deal” by the city council to develop a new jail.

RELATED: Could JSO headquarters move to Florida Blue building as part of possible Duval County jail relocation?

“We are fearful of city council trying to do a backroom deal, trying to create this plan to develop a new jail,” Gold stated. “It’s just the city spending money on things that don’t need more funding rather than spending on community concerns.”

Gold highlighted several community concerns, including health care, housing, healthy food options, and improving infrastructure, particularly on the city’s Northside.

She said that historically, city developments on the Northside have negatively impacted property values.

“Though city leaders have been very vague about where this jail will be located, chances are it will either be located on the Northside or the Westside,” Gold explained.

The proposed new jail is envisioned as a facility to support behavioral and mental health concerns, replacing the old, overcrowded, and deteriorating jail downtown.

However, Gold expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of spending a billion dollars of taxpayer money on a new facility.

“It’s very interesting that they are talking about the current conditions but not actually doing anything to address those current conditions,” Gold said. “And then they are discussing building a $1 billion new jail where those conditions very likely will continue.”

The rally is expected to draw various community organizations and residents who oppose the city’s plans.

News4JAX’s Briana Brownlee reached out to Mayor Donna Deegan’s office and Councilman Reggie Gaffney, who represents the Northside, for a response to the rally and the concerns but has not yet received a reply.