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| Prison Meat Processing Plant In The Works |
| By Ohio News Network |
| Published: 09/29/2003 |
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State prison officials say they can save millions of taxpayer dollars by opening a new meat processing plant. The plant in Orient will bring new jobs, save the state even more money and hand prisoners knives. The Ohio Prison System received legislative approval to spend $9 million on the new meat processing plant as a one of kind project in the state. The director says it is part of centralizing the state's farm operation that will save them $2 million. "We have $44,000 inmates that must be fed three times a day," said Ohio Prison Director Reginald Wilkinson. "This is going to go a long way to save money." When completed, some 11,000 cattle and 11,000 swine will be slaughtered and processed every year on the grounds of the Pickaway Correctional Institution. Instead of meat suppliers from around the country who bid to supply the prisons, the new plant will buy only Ohio cattle. The state's agriculture director says it is a boost to local farmers in many ways. "A result of feeding it here will be a much higher quality product," said Ohio Agriculture Director Fred Dailey. "It is all going to be Ohio beef and pork." Joe Steiner grew up on a farm in the Mason area. Now, he's a prison farm boss. He says nearly 90 screened prisoners will learn a new trade while being closely guarded. "There are controls involved," said Steiner. "The knives will be counted and be accountable. Custody people will keep track of all that." The project will also add more than 20 new civilian jobs. The state hopes to have the construction done in 20 months. |
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