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| Correctional Facility Could Relieve Overcrowding |
| By google.com |
| Published: 07/28/2009 |
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Muskegon Correctional Facility could relieve Muskegon County Jail overcrowding By Chad D. Lerch-The Muskegon Chronicle July 28, 2009 While Muskegon County officials oppose the state's plan to close the Muskegon Correctional Facility, they admit there could be an upside. County Administrator Bonnie Hammersley told commissioners Tuesday she is exploring options to use the soon-to-be vacant prison to ease inmate overcrowding at the county jail. County officials say the medium-security prison could be used to house overflow jail inmates after the state abandons the facility. The possibilities could include cooperative agreements with surrounding counties to use space in the facility to house long-term inmates, officials said. Muskegon County Sheriff Dean Roesler said he supports exploring options. He said it's too early to say whether the county would purchase or lease the space. "We have to meet with state officials to determine the most reasonable option," Roesler said. "If they're just going to shut it down and basically abandon it, I don't see why the county shouldn't try and get their hands on all or at least part of it." County officials have long said the county jail is overcrowded and outdated, and had planned to ask voters to foot the bill for a jail renovation and expansion. But given the state of the economy, county officials decided to not place the request on the ballot this year, conceding that it likely would go down in defeat. Also reeling from the downturn in the economy is the state of Michigan, which is struggling with huge budget deficits. Gov. Jennifer Granholm recently announced a plan to close several state-run correctional facilities to cut expenses, including the Muskegon Correctional Facility that was built in 1974. Officials estimate it costs the state $29 million annually to operate the prison that houses 1,326 inmates. More than 150 people work at the facility that could close this summer or fall. Talks with the state about options for the correctional facility have barely begun, so county officials are keeping options open. "I do not want to see that facility closed," said Commissioner Charles Buzzell. "But if the governor goes that route, I would support exploring ways to use it." Read More. |
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