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| Mass. Sheriff Needs More Money to Open New Facility |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 07/01/2002 |
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The new $4 million, dormitory-style unit of the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction is expected to be completed next month, but it may not open right away. Sheriff John M. Flynn said he needs an extra $822,000 in next year's state budget to open the 100-bed addition. Flynn said he needs the extra money to pay for employee contracts, hire a dozen officers and social workers and buy furniture for the new unit. ''I'd very humbly ask the Legislature to fund the new building,'' Flynn told the Telegram & Gazette of Worcester in an interview published June 19. ''It's not going to open unless I get some more money.'' The aluminum-skinned unit is behind the sprawling jail complex next to the former Worcester County Hospital. The building contains bunks, two classrooms and a visiting area. Low-security inmates in the latter stages of their sentences would be housed there while receiving treatment for alcohol and drug addiction or counseling for domestic violence and sex crimes. Jail officials said they may press for funding in a supplementary budget after the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1. Because of a projected $3 billion state budget deficit, many areas of state government have seen their funding slashed or kept level, which amounts to a cut when rising costs are factored in. The Worcester County jail has a legal capacity of 778, but houses 1,250 prisoners and individuals awaiting trial. Inmates are kept permanently in the gymnasium, infirmary, temporary units and holding cells built for overnight stays. |
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