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| On prisons: Try to get the cash up front |
| By lansingstatejournal.com |
| Published: 07/10/2009 |
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Gov. Jennifer Granholm is pitching an idea to keep some Michigan prisons operating - with prisoners from California. Questions would abound about such out-of-town guests, but if they can be resolved, why shouldn't Michigan do this? As the state downsizes its own prison population, it has excess facilities that will, barring other action, close. Back in June, the Granholm administration outlined the closure of eight facilities to save $120 million. These closures - and the close to 1,000 jobs expected to be lost with them - will be devastating to some local economies. A state staring at 15 percent unemployment is in no position to leave functional facilities idle. In a letter to her California counterpart, Granholm suggested Michigan as a relief valve to California's crowded prisons. The news service Reuters said California was interested enough that it will dispatch a team to Michigan this month to look into details. For some reason, the idea has generated scorn from the state Republican Party. Chairman Norm Shinkle, in a statement, quipped, "I can't wait to see these commercials. The soft music, the soothing voice - come visit the state that takes in the convicts from all other states. That should boost the tourism here." But the relocation of prisoners is old hat. As Reuters pointed out, California already has 7,000 prisoners outside its borders, in lock-ups from Arizona to Mississippi. Having the nation's largest prison population hasn't ruined California's allure to tourists. And it's doubtful that Arizona or Tennessee is losing visitors because California prisoners are being held there. Read More. |
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