NATCHEZ — Work is under way to address one of the significant structural issues at the Adams County jail.

Mandal’s Construction of Gulfport has been working this week to put a new roof on the jail.

The project, a modified bitumen roof with a liner, comes with a 20-year warranty and is being completed at a cost of $168,414.

In recent years, the jail has shown several areas in need of repair to sustain its long-term operational life, but the roof has been characterized as a significant first step in that process because leaks from the roof have led to a number of environmental concerns within the facility.

“This is not going to address all the problems, but it will correct the problem with the leakage and all that,” Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said. “It will certainly be better to have it.”

Mayfield has reported to the county board of supervisors for the past two years that the four-decades-old building’s construction and ventilation systems lends themselves to mold, a problem exacerbated by the leaking roof.

County Administrator Joe Murray said while the new roof is being installed, the county has moved to address the issue of internal humidity in the building.

“We have ordered several dehumidifiers to be installed on the different floors of the jail,” Murray said.

“That way, when (inmates) are taking showers and you have that increased humidity in there, it will take care of the issue.”

In addition to working on the jail, Mandal’s Construction is repairing the metal roof on the Chancery annex portion of the Adams County Courthouse.

That project is being completed at a cost of $127,301.