NCJ Number
115506
Date Published
1985
Length
54 pages
Annotation
This study evaluated the economic and fiscal impact of a proposed prison near Blythe in Riverside County, Calif.
Abstract
The proposed facility is expected to employ 760 persons, half transferees and half drawn from the County. Given existing residential patterns and the current and potential housing supply, it is expected that 95 percent of new residents in the area will live within Blythe city limits. Ample land and infrastructure exist for needed housing, even if the prison operates at 190 rather than 120 percent of capacity. Riverside County would benefit from economic growth caused by employee spending of the $17.2 million annual payroll. The prison is expected to spend an additional $675,000 per year locally on goods and services. The facility also would result in 528 induced jobs, primarily in retail trade and food services. The facility will result in an annual fiscal surplus with or without continuation of Federal revenue sharing for both the County and for Blythe. The facility also will generate annual reimbursable costs incurred by the County for prison-related services. Predicted increases in school enrollment can be accommodated by the high school, but would require new construction of elementary schools. Supplemental information is appended. 11 tables.