The Muskingum County Sheriff’s Department is getting closer to opening the New Minimum-Security Jail and work release center. The 3rd floor of the county jail is being remodeled to house the new facility, which will allow prison officials to better classify prisoners. The new jail allows the county to house 55 minimum-security inmates, twice their current number. The increase saves money because the county won’t have to pay to house prisoners at other facilities. The county is also looking to hire a program director for rehabilitative programs. Renovations include a new ceiling, lights, plumbing, flooring and a closed-circuit camera system. This is also the first Muskingum County jail to have a handicap accessible restroom.