After reading the recent story about a "correctional officer" intimidating a network news reporter for accidentally filming an empty prison at Wilton, NY, I googled "empty prison."
As it turns out, there are several around the USA.
Coalinga, CA has an empty facility on 19 acres that once housed 570 state inmates, in a state that claims that its prisons are overcrowded. (CA has a program for early release of nonviolent offenders to alleviate "overcrowding" while not allowing transfers to less crowded facilities out of state). The 1,600-capacity federal facility at Thompson, IL has received $53 million to “renovate, reopen and staff” but is still empty. Brush, CO has one that’s been empty since 2010. Bayview Correctional Center in Chelsea, New York City is said to be available for redevelopment, but it’s still empty.
Overcrowding is not the trend. Crime rates are down, and prisoner populations are down. Those are the reasons cited by New York officials for their plan to close four prisons. What seems odd is that the buildings will not be sold or redeveloped – merely “closed,” to save money on staffing. So more empty prisons.
More @ American Thinker
Just to sound very selfish, there is an empty prison just 5 miles from me. Please keep it empty and house the illegals somewhere else. NIMBY
ReplyDeleteBadger
There's a book called "Prison Profiteers" that if you can stomach the partisan accusations and Bush bashing* gives some in depth explanation of the money laundering and kickbacks that is the privatization of the prison system.
ReplyDeleteAlso, read recently that there are several juvenile facilities that are considered "operational" with large budgets and 'staff', yet are empty. Obviously another money pit that someone is benefitting from greatly, because really, when the beast gets this big there is NO accountability, no responsibility and no repurcussions when corruption comes to light.
-sj
The govenment probably signed a lease that they can't get out of.
DeleteFOLLOW THE MONEY! Running a "charity" or a "Non Profit organization" can be very profitable, if you can charge or over charge the government for services rendered. Know some low friends in high places, make the right contribution to the right re-election campaign, and the next thing you know, you get a no-bid contract from the Feds. Besides all those empty prisons will be needed when the time comes to round up those, the Feds deem to be or suspected to be "domestic terrorists".
ReplyDeleteall those empty prisons will be needed when the time comes to round up those, the Feds deem to be or suspected to be "domestic terrorists".
Delete:)
Brock, I was about to say, those empty prisons are reserved for us.
DeleteCH