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| Bring in out-of-state prisoners |
| By freep.com |
| Published: 08/17/2009 |
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Michigan is taking overdue steps to reduce its prison population and close prisons. Given its woeful economy, the state ought to entertain any offers to house out-of-state prisoners -- including 229 Guantanamo Bay terrorism suspects -- to ease the economic impact on local communities. Housing those prisoners poses no greater risk than incarcerating people convicted in Michigan for murder or other violent offenses. Federal officials visited the Standish Maximum Correctional Facility Thursday to determine its suitability for detainees now held in a military installation at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba -- one of three possibilities to raise revenues by using Michigan prisons to house inmates currently incarcerated elsewhere. Local leaders generally support the move, if it keeps the 604-bed, maximum-security prison, otherwise slated to close Oct. 1, up and running. The prison provides 340 jobs in the city of 1,500, as well as nearly half of the city's water and sewer revenues. California and Pennsylvania have also expressed interest in sending prisoners to Michigan, at a price of roughly $32,000 a year per prisoner, the cost to incarcerate in Michigan. Gov. Jennifer Granholm is least enthusiastic about the Gitmo detainees, citing the security issues of moving terrorism suspects to Michigan. Such concerns are generally unfounded. Escapes from maximum-security prisons are extremely rare and, when they do occur, the prisoner generally flees the area. Standish, in fact, has had no escapes. Read More. |
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