Prison improvements focus on infrastructure, energy efficiency
Montgomery County Correctional Facility is doing some major infrastructure improvements expected to significantly increase energy efficiency.
A side effect of the renovations is a water flow turnoff that can shut off water to an individual cell, preventing an inmate from flushing contraband before a security officer arrives for inspection. Warden Julio Algarin said it will also prevent inmates from flushing toilets numerous times in a row out of boredom.
The $2.4 million upgrade comes from a $6.2 million Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
As part of the contract with Honeywell, water use at the facility is expected to decrease by 20 million gallons annually and save 170,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity and 11,500 therms of natural gas annually. The upgrades should be finished by the end of the year.
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