$26.1 million jail for women dedicated in western Mass.

CHICOPEE, Mass. -- After numerous delays, the first freestanding jail to be built for women in the state in 130 years has been dedicated.

The Western Massachusetts Regional Women's Correctional Center will house more than 200 female inmates from Hampden, Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin Counties. All of the women are serving sentences of 2 1/2 years or less.

Hampden County Sheriff Michael Ashe says providing treatment will be a priority of the new facility, with as many as 40 percent of the inmates having mental health problems and 85 percent dealing with substance abuse issues.

Members of a group called Statewide Harm Reduction Coalition protested during Thursday's dedication ceremony, saying the $26.1 million cost for the jail would have been better spent on community programs to help women.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)