Gov. Andy Beshear has introduced plans for Kentucky to reopen and operate a privately-owned prison in order to shift inmates from overcrowded county jails.

The facility is in the Wheelwright area of Floyd County in Eastern Kentucky.

Gov. Beshear announced Thursday that the state will lease the facility from Tennessee-based CoreCivic but will operate it as a state prison housing male inmates.

The 656-bed facility will be called Southeast State Correctional Complex. Officials said it last held inmates in 2012.

Gov. Beshear says the opening of the facility will reduce the number of state inmates held in county jails.

Overcrowding at some county jails has created potentially dangerous conditions. Especially during the current pandemic.

Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary, Mary Noble, has said pro-active measures taken at the other state prisons to aid in the fight against the novel coronavirus will be enforced at this prison beginning day one. They will continue to monitor the situation and respond with necessary action in order to protect correctional officers, staff and individuals placed into their custody.