| Prison Construction Funding Postponed |
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| Prison Construction |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 26, 2002
Contact:
Perrin Damon (503) 945-0925 perrin.p.damon@state.or.us
A decision was made today to reassess time frames and postpone the October sale of certificates of participation intended to fund prison construction in Lakeview, Madras and North Bend. Sales of the bonds take place in October and March.
According to Interim Corrections Director Benjamin de Haan, the policy direction toward incarceration has not changed, but there are too many fiscal uncertainties to proceed with the sale of bonds. “Given the state’s financial situation, it makes sense to wait for the December revenue forecast and the outcome of the January vote to temporarily increase income taxes before incurring additional long-term debt.” The delay will also enable the new governor and Legislature to examine existing policies that drive the state’s prison population growth.
The Department of Corrections is in the process of identifying the ramifications of a delay in prison construction. “The prison construction schedule is tightly tied to the prison population forecast,” explained Mr. de Haan. “Prison beds are timed to open precisely when they are needed.”
Directly affected are a 400-bed minimum security work camp in Lakeview and a 400-bed minimum security prison in Madras. The 100-bed expansion of Shutter Creek Correctional Institution in North Bend will also be postponed.
“Given at least a six-month delay in our construction cycle, we are looking at every nook and cranny for housing the anticipated inmate population. Because it takes two to three years to build a prison, the effects will be strongly felt toward the end of 2004,” Mr. de Haan said. “We are looking at all of the options.”
Mr. de Haan has directed Department of Corrections staff to develop an alternative business plan over the next week that explores implications to the state corrections system given adjustments in the construction schedule.
Communications Manager
Oregon Department of Corrections
2575 Center Street NE
Salem, OR 97301-4667
http://www.doc.state.or.us
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