|
|
| Wheeler Correctional Facility among three targeted for closure |
| By Courier-Herald |
| Published: 09/27/2004 |
|
Commissioner James Donald of the Georgia Department of Corrections has recommended in his proposed budget that one of the state's three private prisons be closed. Wheeler Correctional Facility in Alamo is one of the three. "I hope it won't happen to anybody, but certainly to us," WCF Warden Ralph Kemp said in response to the email letter from Donald. Kemp immediately drafted a memorandum to all WCF staff: "I want to share the attached message from Commissioner Donald with you so that you can read it yourself and not hear it through the rumor mill. The Commissioner is recommending in his proposed budget that a private prison be closed. That prison has not been named at this point. It could be Coffee, Wheeler, or D. Ray James." The facilities in Coffee and Wheeler counties are owned and operated by Corrections Corporation of America, while the other facility in Folkston is owned and operated by Cornell Corporation. CCA's new facility in Stewart County has already been affected by cost cutting, as DOC canceled the bid request for the 1,000-bed prison. Donald said GDOC is facing the necessity of cutting approximately $38 million in spending in order to pay for known deficits. About the closing of a private prison Donald said, "This closure will save $12.1 million." Kemp advised the WCF staff: "We all need to contact our Legislators immediately to voice our concerns regardless of which facility they may have in mind not just for ourselves but the economic impact it would have on any of the three communities. "We also need to voice our concerns about the impact of the closing of any 1,500-bed prison would have on the Georgia Department of Corrections and on the safety of the public and employees of the facilities which would absorb these 1,500 inmates. "As far as our jobs are concerned, we need to not overreact but continue doing the excellent work you have been doing. This is a long way from happening but we need to get to work to hopefully stop any closing of a private prison." Several local officials are already sending letters to the area representatives and senators. Kemp said that legislators need to hear from the people on the subject, and he said that letters to the governor were in order, too. Donald is one of Gov. Sonny Perdue's appointees. |
MARKETPLACE search vendors | advanced search
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
|
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think