Lafayette County Secures $5 Million to Support Detention Center Improvements, Behavioral Health Capacity May 14, 2026

Lafayette County has secured $5 million in state funding, through work with state leaders, to support improvements at the Lafayette County Detention Center and upgrades to Communicare, strengthening local infrastructure tied to public safety, behavioral health, and substance use treatment.

The funding supports renovations and construction at the Lafayette County Detention Center, including expanded medical and observation areas for individuals with substance use, medical, or psychiatric needs. It also includes $500,000 for upgrades at Communicare’s Haven House, a residential treatment facility in Oxford that serves nearly 500 adults facing addiction and co-occurring mental health challenges.

The investments come as mental health and substance use treatment needs in Lafayette County continue to grow, said Melody Madaris, executive director of Communicare. 

With an average daily inmate population of about 150, the Lafayette County Detention Center must be equipped to address a range of safety, medical, and behavioral health needs. Planned improvements include expanding the medical ward and observation cells, updating cell security features, upgrading the computer system that operates facility doors, and improving electrical and plumbing systems.

“The detention center has served this community for more than 30 years, and daily use over that time has created a need for significant updates,” Sheriff Joey East said. “These funds will help improve safety and operations while easing the cost to Lafayette County citizens.”

As Lafayette County’s mental health authority, Communicare works with the county across a range of behavioral health and substance use needs. At Haven House, the funding will be used for heating and air system upgrades that improve energy efficiency and comfort for people receiving treatment.

“The County is such a valuable asset to our agency,” Madaris said. “They work tirelessly with us to ensure people in our community are treated with respect and kindness, and always have a place to go for help.”

Lafayette County Board of Supervisors President Brent Larson said the funding reflects the value of strong partnerships between county and state leaders.

“Lafayette County is grateful to our state partners for helping secure funding that will provide needed improvements for our community,” Larson said. “Mental health and substance use needs continue to affect families, law enforcement, and organizations like Communicare. These investments strengthen the county’s ability to respond while supporting the work of our partners.”

“Sen. Nicole Boyd and Rep. Clay Deweese have been strong partners for our community, and we appreciate their work on behalf of Lafayette County,” Larson said. “We also deeply appreciate Speaker Jason White, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, and Gov. Tate Reeves for working with the County to support these funds, as well as Sens. Neil Whaley and Benjamin Suber and Reps. Josh Hawkins, Steve Massengill, Trey Lamar, and Kevin Horan for their continued work for Lafayette County.”