NATCHEZ — Adams County’s Circuit Court judges issued an order for the Board of Supervisors and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office to form a partnership and study if the county jail can be upgraded or needs to be replaced.

The order, which was dated Thursday and was officially received by the board Friday morning, wasn’t unexpected.

The judges had previously told the board they would be issuing the directive after meeting with the supervisors and representatives from the sheriff’s office about the condition of the four-decades old facility on downtown State Street.

“It is probable that a building of that age, and its particular use, has sustained substantial wear and tear on the building,” the order reads. “It is highly probable that a remedy for said wear and tear will be needed in the near future.”

The order continues, “It would be beneficial to the community to explore deficiencies and investigate a plan of action to cure said deficiencies. Early investigation now should allow for a timely plan to be executed that is within the financial constraints of the budget of Adams County.”

The order directs the supervisors and the sheriff’s office to form a strategic partnership along with any professionals as necessary to report any concerns about the jail facility to the court.

The report should include how the jail measures against correctional standards in the region, a look at the feasibility of correcting any deficiencies in the center and details about the feasibility of replacing the jail with a new facility, the order says.

Circuit Judge Forrest “Al” Johnson said he and Judge Lillie Sanders have seen the replacement of jails in the other counties they serve, and they wanted to make sure Adams County was prepared for the future.

“We don’t want to wake up one day and have a condemned jail and not have a plan about it,” he said. “The reality is that the federal courts have decreed certain minimum standards that have to be met, and we are just trying to get things moving in the direction of getting a plan — but that plan is entirely up to the board.”

The order does not come with a time element tied to it.

“We realize that this is a big undertaking and something this board inherited, so Judge Sanders and I wanted to give them some time, but at some point we would certainly expect to hear back with some general plan or timetable that is put forth for correcting the problems there,” Johnson said. “This order will help keep things focused on the fact something needs to happen.”

Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield could not be reached for comment, and an Adams County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said all comments about the matter should be directed to the board of supervisors and its attorney.

Adams County Board of Supervisors attorney Scott Slover said he believes a portion of the order can be met with a report about the current jail architect Johnny Waycaster completed for the county in December. The Waycaster report looks at structural concerns and what it might cost to address them.

The supervisors will meet with representatives of Benchmark Construction Company to discuss a study for a new jail Monday. Benchmark has previously completed an assessment of the State Street facility that includes the feasibility of the jail’s long-term correctional system abilities.

“We are looking forward to seeing how the Benchmark presentation compares with the Waycaster report and how (a new facility) compares with upgrading the current one,” Slover said.

“It is not just going to be a quick decision the board makes. They still have to go through the numbers and look at financing.”

Benchmark will meet with the board at 8 a.m. Monday in the boardroom of the supervisors’ offices on State Street.