NCJ Number
134390
Journal
State Legislatures Volume: 17 Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1991) Pages: 28-30
Date Published
1991
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Finding a site for a prison used to be a problem, but now the issue is sometimes how to choose among the many towns that want one.
Abstract
One Illinois town put together a rap song and bought television time to convince legislators to locate a prison there. In Texas, 50 towns requested prisons and submitted their proposals to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The proposals included incentives that ranged from country club memberships for wardens to longhorn cattle for the prison grounds. According to an official of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, prisons have become an economic development tool, especially in rural areas. For example, it is estimated that a 400-bed minimum security prison in the State of Washington generates a net cash flow of $2.2 million a month. Several studies point out that economic benefits come not only from payroll but also from construction, purchases from local vendors, and increased revenues from sales and property taxes. The fundamental irony remains, however, that most prisons are located in rural areas even though most experts argue they should be in urban areas. Cities produce the prisoners and offer the most services, the largest labor pool, the lowest transportation costs, and the best chance for inmate families to visit and maintain strong ties. While many small towns want prisons, some local residents have expressed concern that families of prisoners will move to the area, creating demands on community social and education services. Quality-of-life effects of prisons on small towns are examined.