Deputies with the Butler County Sheriff’s Department transported inmates to the new correctional facility on Monday morning, finally leaving behind the old jail on Cedar St. and the problems that plagued county officials for decades.

The county commission approved a $76,254 payment for fencing around the perimeter of the new facility on Wednesday and Sheriff Kenny Harden said more contractors are putting the finishing touches on the $6 million construction.

Harden said some inmates are upset because physical contact with visitors has been eliminated. Glass now separates inmates and visitors and communication is done through handsets.

Also, no inmates in the old jail means traffic or people walking at the intersection of S. Conecuh St. and Cedar St. won’t be subjected to shouting from the jail population.

“I know some of the inmates weren’t happy with that as well,” said Harden.

Commission Chairman Jesse McWilliams said the county’s happy to have the project behind them. The jail problem now solved, he said the commission is committed to seeing the sheriff has adequate personnel to protect the citizens of Butler County.

“We want to see if we can find way to get the sheriff more deputies at some point in the future,” said McWilliams. “We need to find a way to get 24 hours a day, seven days a week for law enforcement in our county.”