Halifax Probation and Parole hopes to move into its new office on Highway 301 next week, a state Department of Correction spokesperson said Wednesday night.

Department spokesman Keith Acree said probation is currently waiting on a data circuit for computer connectivity to be installed this week. “Everything else with the building is complete.”

The new office is the old food stamp building, which sits at the entrance of Weldon Middle School.

The building meets the standards needed by probation and parole, County Manager Tony Brown has said.

At least 15 probation and parole employees will work in the building and there is enough space to have at least two more offices, which could include bringing Department of Correction staff working at the courthouse over.

Renovations include a 6 foot wooden fence along the back and side of the building. Other security devices include security lights, motion sensors and a video camera.

There was some controversy to the move when Weldon school officials objected. Probation and parole agreed to have sex offenders and others who commit crimes against children go to the day reporting center.

In February the county agreed to renovate the former food stamp building after the state informed officials it would no longer pay the lease for the current building, which is located in the Forest Hills Shopping Center in Roanoke Rapids.

With an annual lease payment of $26,640 and annual operating costs of $15,000, commissioners decided they could make improvements to the food stamp building for $87,000.

The food stamp building has 5,500 square feet while the current building has 3,000 square feet.