Newport News jail annex opens

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Newport News is creating an environment to make life better for Sheriff Deputies and the prisoners they guard.

The ribbon was cut on the new Jail Annex in Newport News Monday morning. It's a low-to-medium security facility geared at rehabilitating inmates scheduled for release. Officials say the prisoners can learn culinary skills, sewing and computer classes at the annex.

This is also a way to ease overcrowding, making the prison safer for deputies.

Newport News Mayor Joe Frank told WAVY.com, "This annex gives us an opportunity to thin out the population. Here, where they can do rehabilitation, where there are separate cells so the people aren't living on top of each other."

The old juvenile detention center was renovated and transformed into the new annex.