Major Michael S. Sullivan (retired) cuts the ribbon to one of the two new classrooms inside the Clark County Jail. Andy Grimm | PHOTO

Clark County Sheriff Deb Burchett unveiled the jail’s new Michael S. Sullivan Learning Center on Wednesday morning.

The Learning Center, located on the 5th floor of the jail,  is named in honor of retired Major Michael Sullivan who spent his entire 30 year career in the jail before retiring in 1998.

“In these rooms we are going to increase our educational programs we offer the inmates” said Lt. Mike Young in a ribbon cutting ceremony held Wednesday morning.  “It will help the environment in the jail and provide a better person back on the street.”

“This space was basically one big open gym that was used for storage” said Burchett. “We have divided it into two educational rooms for inmates.”

Sheriff explained that these programs, such as drug and alcohol counseling and the GED program, used to be conducted in the jail’s chapel.  “Everything used to be on the 2nd floor in the chapel” said Burchett.

The jail’s exit is also on the second floor. “This is why we wanted to do this, it was a huge safety concern for us” said Burchett. “Now the inmates will have two dedicated classrooms and there will not be as much movement with the inmates. It will be a lot safer for us.”

“Thank you very much, you don’t know how much I appreciate it” said Sullivan before cutting the ribbon with his wife Diane.

The construction of learning center was funded using money from the jail’s commisary. According to Sheriff Burchett “not one dime of tax payer money went into these rooms.”

First Group 2x2
First Group 2x2
Local News

Stories on people, places, events and businesses right here in Western Clark County.

Local Government

Meetings and news from local Boards of Education, Township Trustees and County Commissioners.

Sports

Arrows, Bees & Warriors; we cover all local high school sports, as well as local semi-pro and adult leagues