Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm gave an update Wednesday on construction of the $1.25 billion, 4,000-bed prison in Elmore County.

Hamm said the prison is about 40% complete. He talked about the massive scope of the project.

Hamm said there will soon be almost 1,000 construction workers and nine cranes in operation at the site.

The prison, which will be called the Elmore Specialized Men’s Facility because it will include about 700 beds for medical and mental health care, is targeted for completion in 2026.

“It’s going to be larger than a lot of county seats,” Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, said.

“We’re building a hospital. We’re building a mental health facility. We’re building a prison. And a community college. All in the same spot,” said Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, chairman of the prison oversight committee.

The project will include vocational education programs for inmates, such as welding, diesel mechanics, HVAC, and others taught by Ingram State Technical College