Borough supports state-wide prison plan

MAT-SU -- The flow of Alaskan prisoners to sunny Arizona could be stemmed if a new statewide prison plan proposed by Sen. Lyda Green, R, Mat-Su, is adopted.

"Senator Green's proposal is a terrific idea," said Mat-Su Borough Manager John Duffy Friday. "She has done a great job in coming up with a solution to prison overcrowding that recognizes that one size does not fit all."

The Mat-Su Borough Assembly voted at their Feb. 5 meeting to pass a resolution supporting the general concept of a statewide approach to prison development. The concept, introduced by Green on Jan. 14 as Senate Bill 231, would provide for the expansion of existing in-state prison facilities to be owned by the municipalities and operated by the Alaska State Department of Corrections under a long-term lease agreement.

According to the borough's supporting report for the resolution, approximately 800 to 900 prisoners per year are currently

transferred from Alaska's overcrowded facilities to the state of Arizona at an annual cost of about $20 million. That number is expected to continue to grow by about 50 per year, as will the associated cost to house the prisoners out of state.

The report reflects not only the resulting loss to the Alaskan state and local economies of the $20 million expenditure, but the dearth in needed construction, permanent, year-round prison jobs and jobs associated with supplying the correctional facilities.

In addition to the loss of revenue and jobs, the borough perceives a potential negative impact on rehabilitation of the prisoners who serve their terms out of state. Removing of Alaskan residents from their families, support network and culture decreases the probability of their successful rehabilitation and reentry into Alaskan society.

Since Alaskan communities have rejected attempts to address the overcrowding problem by adding private-sector prison facilities to the correctional system, the borough hopes the new plan for a state partnership with the boroughs and municipalities represents a workable solution.

The bill would permit the state to enter into agreements to expand existing facilities in rural and urban locations distributed among seven boroughs and municipalities.

SB 231 calls for an increase of between 1,100 and 1,300 beds statewide. Facilities in the city and borough of Juneau would receive up to 64 new beds, Bethel up to 96, Fairbanks North Star and Ketchikan Gateway up to 100 each, Seward up to 150, Kenai up to 256 and Mat-Su would receive the largest increase, with up to 370 new beds.

The Mat-Su Borough contains three adult correctional facilities, the Palmer Correctional facility in Sutton, the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility in Palmer and the Point MacKenzie facility.

David Germer, assistant borough manager, explained Friday that the potential 370-bed increase for Mat-Su would be divided among these three facilities.

"This could represent up to 100 new jobs in the borough," Germer said. "Not to mention the resulting multiplier effect on the economy."

If the prison measure passes, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) would issue conduit tax-exempt revenue bonds to assist with financing of the prison expansions. The bonds would be secured through payments by the state to the municipalities under a long-term state lease.

According to Duffy, the proposal has the support of the Alaska Department of Corrections, AIDEA and Green's colleagues in the borough's state legislative delegation.

Duffy explained that the proposal would allow each municipality to address

its particular needs for expanded correctional facilities. Some of the existing facilities were initially constructed with infrastructures designed to accommodate future

expansion.

Allowing prisoners to serve their terms in their local communities would also cut down on the travel time and expense incurred by their families, Duffy added.

It seems to be a solution gaining support around the state, as well.

"I have talked with all the municipalities and boroughs involved in the proposal," Duffy said, "and I have visited all but one of them. I'll be concluding with an upcoming visit to Juneau. Everyone I have visited to date has voiced enthusiastic support for this proposal."

Duffy said Green's plan is an excellent idea on several levels.

"It will save money and spread the positive economic impact throughout the state instead of concentrating it in one location," Duffy said. "This is important because we all need the jobs."