The West Annex Jail, a new 300-bed facility in downtown Fresno, is set to open before the end of the year, replacing the aging South Annex Jail built in 1944.

Once the West Annex opens, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office plans to transfer inmates from the 500-bed South Annex Jail. A spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office said efforts are underway to relocate the 200 inmates who won’t fit in the new facility.

“It is going to take some time to have our incarcerated persons come over here, depending on how they’re classified and where they’re going to be housed,” said Sheriff John Zanoni. “It’s not going to be like one day just bringing everybody over and filling this facility up and then closing … because we have a lot of support staff and offices over there and things that are going to transitioned over here. So it’s going to be done in phases over a period of time.”

There will be a total bed count of 3,092 for inmates within Fresno County at the Main Jail, North Annex Jail and West Annex Jail.

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The West Annex had a construction budget of $101.8 million, according to the sheriff’s office. The two-story building is designed with the option to add two additional housing floors.

“This project has been obviously over five years. It’s been a long time. It was supposed to open several years ago, but due to unexpected delays and things like that, I’m very proud to be able to open this facility,” Zanoni said.

The jail’s lobby features an in-person visitation area. For those who prefer not to wait, virtual meetings can be arranged. Additionally, visitors can connect with inmates from home using personal devices for a fee through GTL, as detailed on the sheriff’s website.

The jail annex includes 18 ADA-compliant cells and 10 separate exercise yards, which allow inmates time for exercise and fresh air. Each yard will only be used by one housing block at a time.

“What really stands out is, as you can see with the areas that they have for fitness and exercise, they’re enclosed there within the different floors of the jail,” Zanoni said.

When asked about accommodating inmates during Fresno’s hot summers, the Sheriff’s Office stated it would work with inmates to determine the most suitable times for outdoor exercise.

To better accommodate inmates, some housing units in the West Annex are designed differently from others. Four out of the six cell blocks have separate top and bottom floors, allowing the jail to keep individuals who may not get along separated. These distinct units also provide enhanced spaces for programming, education, and therapy.

A tunnel in the basement connects the West Annex to the main jail and courthouse, where 200 to 300 inmates are typically transported daily. The basement also houses a new laundry facility, staffed by a team of 10 to 12 women under the supervision of a correctional officer.

Zanoni emphasized that the rooms — configured as either single or double-occupancy — were built with inmate safety in mind. Although there are no cameras inside the rooms, safety features include curved furniture, meshed privacy screens, and unbreakable mirrors.

What Will Happen With the South Annex Jail?

The South Annex Jail will remain vacant for now, with the sheriff’s office planning to use it for storage. The county has considered renting it to filmmakers, as its vintage jail cells with barred doors are now rarely seen.

“At some point, there is talk of constructing a new Superior Court here in Fresno County,” Zanoni said. “The site that they’re looking at for that facility is the current sheriff’s headquarters and part of the South Annex Jail. So like I said, if that happens, then that facility, the South Annex Jail would be demolished.”