Posted on 08/13/2006 3:03:59 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
Newly released details of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's prison plan show a portion of one of Chowchilla's two women's prisons being converted to a men's prison -- a proposal that local officials say they will do everything they can to stop.
"People are really opposed to this," said Chowchilla Mayor Ron Harris. "We'll probably raise a stink."
The proposal, part of a nearly $6 billion prison-crowding relief plan, calls for 800 male beds at the Valley State Prison for Women.
The prison, listed as having capacity for 1,980 women, would essentially be split in two -- a male prison and a female prison -- requiring new fencing and other upgrades costing at least $5.8 million, according to a draft version of the plan.
Local officials are upset that they weren't consulted on the plan and say that if state officials press forward, they would be going back on their word.
"When they sold those prisons to the people of the city of Chowchilla, it was under the assumption that they would be women's prisons," Harris said.
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is willing to consult with the community on the plan, spokeswoman Elaine Jennings said, but the department "reserves the right to use its facilities as dictated by the population."
Like most of the governor's plan, the Chowchilla proposal will have to be approved by the Legislature.
Lawmakers returned from a monthlong recess Monday and are just beginning to consider the governor's plan, which aims to avert a prison crowding crisis.
Assemblyman David Cogdill, R-Modesto, whose district includes the Chowchilla prisons, said he opposes the conversion on the grounds that it wasn't what was sold to the city.
"The credibility of the state of California is on the line here," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Since the population increased 3½ times, all "services" should triple + ½ as well. In many cases that has happened. We have three times more lawyers, public advocates, homeless, bums, addicts, drunks and unwed mothers.
Prisons should have tripled in number too.
Oh, I forgot, there are now MILLIONS of illegals too. They should go to prison too. :o)
Go Arnie!
Hell...why not put the men in with the women....our federal judges have given civil rights to muzzie terrorists....one is as crazy as the other......
no wait, men in jail with women maybe is not as crazy as the "terrorist bill of rights"....at least men and women prisoners together are not going to blow us up at dinner.
I hear ya..
just think of all the duplication of staff for medical and other services will be required if this were done at this facility..
I don't see any problem setting up true co-ed prisons if the offenders are non-violent. Who needs all the extra fencing and other expenses? Inmates might actually behave better if they knew the opposite sex might be watching. I suspect, though, that they want Chowchilla to take its share of LA gangbangers.
With non-violents, I would agree that may be more doable. a little peer pressure never hurts if applied properly.
lord knows with things heating up in the colored and latino gangs of LA, they will need more bedspace soon or cemeteries.
The simple and inexpensive solution for this is to erect tent cities for inmates in rural California.
The prisoners who need to stay in the "brick prisons" in the cities, to speak with their attorney or go to court, for medical reasons, or even family needs stay in the rear.
But the large number with no pressing need to meet anyone, no health problems, and who wouldn't mind some fresh air and sunshine, would get to go to the rural prison camps. I say "get to", because these are not punishment camps, they are a reward.
Not only do they get to live in much less crowded conditions, but they might do labor for their own benefit like growing some crops for food.
It would probably appeal to the typical Californian to have them work on environmental and restoration projects. Not just picking up trash, but doing things like planting a forest, removing unwanted roads from scenic areas, and clearing canals.
All of this on a fraction of the typical cost, and solving a whole slew of problems in their brick prisons, too.
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