Proposed prison in Winslow topic of tomorrow's meeting

Winslow City Manager Jim Ferguson said recently that there will be an important public meeting at 6 p.m. tomorrow at the Winslow High School Performing Arts Center. Arizona State Public Corrections Director Chuck Ryan will conduct the meeting, which will include speakers from LaSalle Corrections representatives. LaSalle Corrections is the company that will build and operate the Winslow facility if the community is selected as a site for a private prison.

This meeting, which is seen as important for Winslow residents, may also be important for those on the Navajo and Hopi reservations as there may be jobs provided both at the facility and during its construction should Winslow and LaSalle Corrections be selected by the Arizona Department of Corrections.

The Department of Corrections has already determined that there will be private prisons contracted to house 5,000 prisoners over the next three years. There are five sites still under consideration with Eloy, Goodyear, San Luis and Coolidge joining Winslow on that list. LaSalle is one of four companies under consideration.

The purpose of the meeting is both to inform citizens of Winslow of the project and learn of their concerns and whether they would likely support the private prison or see it as a problem.

Ferguson said that the prison would likely bring 215 permanent jobs to the community with a number of jobs coming to businesses, which service the prison and its employees. He sees it as an important boost to Winslow and its economy. He said that this would be the last meeting before the Department of Corrections makes a decision on where prisons will be built this year. Plans indicate that the decision will be made in September. It will also be decided whether all 5,000 beds will be accounted for immediately or some within the next couple of years. He said it would be better if Winslow were awarded a prison as soon as possible.

LaSalle Corrections is a family business headed by CEO Billy McConnell and including the former head of the Texas Department of Corrections. He and other representatives of the company will likely be at the meeting to make a presentation and answer questions.

Ferguson said that he is very pleased with McConnell's concern with good rehabilitation programs. LaSalle emphasizes efforts to teach inmates new skills and ways to get along better with people and keep good jobs once they get them. The company also encourages religious programs in its existing facilities and allows ministers to come into its facilities to work with prisoners.

He said that the facility would have an annual payroll of approximately $7.5 million. It would also likely buy much of its products locally and patronize local merchants and depend upon local medical care.

LaSalle Corrections' proposal is to build and operate a 1,000 bed facility in Winslow near the existing state prison. If that proposal is accepted by the Department of Corrections other sites may also be selected for construction this year. At any rate, the new facility would be for 1,000 beds and be smaller than the Winslow State Prison Complex.

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