PIERRE — The new Hughes County jail is starting to take shape, Kevin Franker, of GA Johnson Construction, told commissioners during a Hughes County Commission meeting Monday.

“It’s starting to look like a jail now,” Franker said. “It has doors and windows and stairways. It’s taking shape.”

Franker said construction on three of the four jail areas are on schedule, with the juvenile detention center, booking and administration areas ready for touch-ups and painting.

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The forth area, inmate housing, still has work to be done. According to Franker, an issue over the type of caulking used for housing needs to be resolved before the work can continue. Regulations stipulate caulking 10 feet or lower must be a higher grade for security.

“The Sheriff and architect are getting samples this week,” Franker said. “Everyone is waiting for this one issue to be resolved. Then we can finish construction and start painting.”

Also set for this week is construction on the road leading to the jail. Crews have been bogged down with wet weather but are set to start working later this week or early next week.

Overall, Franker said he believes construction on the jail is right on schedule. Completion of the $9 million jail is set for the end of the year, with inmates expected to arrive in 2010.

Also at the meeting, Hughes County State’s Attorney Kelly Marnette addressed commissioners on a decision to expand the county’s use of grand juries as an alternative to preliminary hearings. Marnette said the state’s attorney’s office plans to use a grand jury for cases involving felonies or involving witnesses who have scheduling difficulties or feel vulnerable testifying in court — something she said particularly applies to cases of domestic assault.

The increased use of a grand jury will save time, according to Marnette, who said 1/3 of cases get rescheduled.

“Twice in the last couple weeks we’ve had witnesses who said, ‘I can’t come,’” Marnette said. “We’ve had two or three witnesses who didn’t show. That takes up time on the part of the sheriff to track these people down and give them another subpoena.”

With a grand jury, witnesses are allowed to testify via phone, with the testimony available for use later in court if the case is not resolved.

The county did not take any action, as the state’s attorney has the legal authority to make the decision, but commissioners did voice their agreement.

“I am 100 percent for this because it’s a system that involves citizens more,” Commissioner Mike Venner said. “It’s not an easy thing to do, but most people feel rewarded when they’re done.”