ADA, OK - It took more than 3 years and $8 million to complete, but officials say the new Pontotoc County Jail is finally finished. Dara Downs attended the ribbon cutting Friday.

The new 35,000 square foot building is about three times bigger than the current jail, and officials say that means they'll be able to keep more criminals off the streets.

People from across the county attended the ribbon cutting Friday. County Commissioner Gary Starns says a lot of time and money went into getting the new jail built, and says he thinks everyone should be happy with the end result.

"It looks like a nice building," he says.

The current jail was built back in the 1920's, and officials say it did not meet state wide health inspections standards. They say many times they're forced to release inmates because of overcrowding.

"We meet usually once a week to determine who the worst offenders are, the ones that we have to keep, and we release some that really need to be staying in jail, simply because of the over crowding and no place to go."

Everything in the new facility is operated by a computer system, even inmate visitation, which means inmates won't have to be removed from their cell to talk with visors.

Starnes says the new technology ensures the safety of both the staff and the inmates.

"You've got people sitting on the monitor there that control everything and if they see anything wrong that can have somebody right there. If somebody gets sick you have somebody on them right there instantly. So it's going to be safer for everybody," Starnes says.

Sheriff John Christian says although the jail took longer than expected to complete it was worth the wait.

"Certainly takes a lot of liability off my shoulders, and the county's shoulders and the citizens of Pontotoc County that if something were to go wrong in the other facility, there the ultimate one that pays the cost," Christian says.

Sheriff Christian says there is still some construction and training that needs to be done before they move in inmates, but says he expects to have everyone in later this month.