Posted: Thursday, November 5, 2009
A study commissioned by the Washington Legislature
recommends closing three prison wings and a juvenile lockup.
Washington Governor Chris Gregoire says she’ll give the
recommendations serious consideration. Olympia Correspondent
Tom Banse has more.
Faced with an ongoing budget deficit, Washington state
politicians asked a consultant to identify where best to cut one and
a half thousand prison beds plus several hundred juvenile reform
school beds. The answer back include: Close the Maple Lane School
for juveniles in southwest Washington. Close Ahtanum View near
Yakima and downsize the McNeil Island prison or the state
penitentiary in Walla Walla. Democratic Governor Chris Gregoire
says she’s undecided on the options, but says there’s a pressing
need to cut.
Gregoire: “You know, I look at this economic recession not only as a
time for private sector to reboot. It’s a time for government to
reboot. So we’re not going to come out of this looking like we did
going in.”
Legislators from prison towns are already rallying to defend the
union jobs.
State homes for the developmentally disabled are on the block too.
A better picture of how politically palatable closures might be will
come when Washington’s governor releases a new budget next
month.
Copyright 2009 Northwest News Network
On the web:
State of
Washington – Governor’s Budget Office