Prison decision set for tonight

Jan. 16, 2007

By RUSSELL STIGALL

Frontiersman

PALMER - Along with prison doors clanging, Mat-Su Borough Assembly members want to hear the cash register ring when the Valley's proposed detention center is built.

During Tuesday's special work session, the term &#8220economic engine” was used often to describe the future home of 2,251 medium-security inmates.

Joe Schmidt, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Corrections, began the discussion by reminding the assembly of the $20 million Alaska loses annually by shipping overflow inmates to Arizona. The $20 million does not include medical and transportation costs.

&#8220The goal was to bring those jobs home,” Schmidt said.

The assembly asked what would happen if the state brought those jobs to the Valley.

&#8220We are looking at this as an economic development project,” assembly member Cindy Bettine said. &#8220That is what was sold to us at the table and how we entered this as an agreement. We want this economic development with little problems to our current residents.”

The jobs will be there, Schmidt assured, but &#8220economics will not go above public safety.”

Assembly member Lynne Woods asked what of the prison's internal goods and services can be contracted to local businesses.

As with other Alaska prisons, the new complex would contract for paper, food, linen and such, Schmidt said. And the lowest price gets the bid. But DOC gives an Alaska preference.

&#8220We like to see Alaska-grown whenever we can, and Alaska-made whenever we can,” Schmidt said.

Services such as nurses and custodians, however, would not be contracted out.

&#8220We find it better when they are an actual employee,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt was not able to answer all the questions assembly members had about the prison. Until further in the process, the Department of Corrections will not know the exact cost to run the facility, nor will it know the number of employees the prison will require.

Schmidt did assure the assembly that the prison project would be funded.

&#8220It is a supported project, and the governor knows there is a cost associated,” Schmidt said.

Several times during the work session, Schmidt said DOC does not want to enter the fray of site selection.

However, assembly member Bill Allen did.

While most assembly members seemed content to put the new cash cow at the recommended Point MacKenzie site, Palmer South found resurgence as a potential site through Allen's efforts.

From all appearances, including a mention on page 14 of Mat-Su Borough Resolution 07-002, Palmer South was back on the list.

However, by the end of Tuesday night's meeting, Allen had abandoned hope of the Palmer South option.

Schmidt and his new administration have introduced new ideas about the prison's layout. Instead of a single building, Schmidt's administration is pushing for a modular layout - at least three main buildings. This new site plan wouldn't work within Palmer South's cozy footprint.

Palmer South's small size, combined with decided public opinion against a prison at the site and the need for a high-priced off-ramp, put the mined-out gravel pit to rest.

Allen said he wanted Palmer South back on the table so the assembly could decide absolutely that Palmer would not be the site.

He said arguments against the site were compelling. Although he said he was disappointed by the outcome, Allen said he recognized the importance of not delaying the project.

&#8220Let's not lose this,” Allen said. &#8220The best interest of the people of this community is to put this behind and go forward.”

Though the assembly can vote on any site it wants, with Allen's renunciation of the Palmer South option, the assembly is looking at Point MacKenzie and Sutton as its top-two choices.

A representative from RISE Alaska, the project's consulting firm, said the big question mark with the Point MacKenzie site is the availability of water.

However, he said, RISE officials are 99 percent sure there will be adequate water.

The assembly is expected to make a final decision at its Tuesday meeting, set to start at 6 p.m. at the Central Mat-Su Public Safety Building on Lucille Street in Wasilla. A public hearing will precede the assembly's vote.

Contact Russell Stigall at

352-2267 or russell.stigall@

frontiersman.com