Skip to Content

John Benoit Detention Center celebrates milestone

The John Benoit Detention Center is celebrated a milestone in its construction with a topping off ceremony Monday morning.

A beam signed by Benoit’s family and local leaders is lifted to be placed as part of the new jail construction in #Indio. pic.twitter.com/dNUnlIgRb5

— Jeremy Chen (@JeremyChenKESQ) July 31, 2017

The topping ceremony commemorated the highest point of construction on the new center. At the end of the ceremony, a white steel beam, signed by project staff and dignitaries, was hoisted to the top to forever be a part of the building. There were also moments honoring former supervisor Benoit, who lost a battle with cancer back in December.

Dignitaries included local leaders such as District 4 Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and Congressman Raul Ruiz among others. The family of the late John Benoit was also present where his wife Sheryl, shared a few emotional words about the legacy of her husband.

Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff praised the construction of the building and felt it would improve medical and mental health services at the jail. There would also be educational programs to help rehabilitate inmates in order to make them productive members of society upon release.

EXCLUSIVE: Money concerns over new jail staffing

The building has been under construction since 2015. County officials expect to open the detention center toward the middle of 2018.

More: Today’s Top Stories

First Alert Forecast

More: I-Team and Stands for You investigations

Find us on Facebook: KESQ News Channel 3 & CBS Local 2

Follow us on Twitter for breaking news updates: @KESQ & @Local2

We’re on Instagram! @KESQ_News_Channel_3 & @CBSLocal2

Watch live newscasts

Noticias en español: Telemundo 15

Article Topic Follows: News

Jump to comments ↓

KESQ News Team

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

News Channel 3 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content