1/11/17
by News Department on 01/11/17Barletta wants prison closure on hold...
U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta wants state officials to delay a decision on prison closures until June, saying they should take time to consider a forthcoming report detailing the impact of the closure on local communities.
According to the Republican Herald, Corrections Department officials met with representatives from the departments of Community and Economic Development, Labor and Industry, General Services and the governor’s office as part of a working group established in 2014 to guide decisions on prison closings.
The group plans to issue a public report looking at the economic impact of a prison closing on surrounding communities, potential reuse for a closed facility and ways to lessen the disruption from a closing. The report will be issued before a Jan. 26 department deadline for identifying which two prisons will be closed under the fiscal 2017-18 budget.
Delaying a decision until June would allow for hearings and give congressmen time to find cost savings for both the state and federal prison systems.
The State Senate Majority Policy Committee is looking at a potential hearing on the prison hearings Jan. 23 when the chamber returns to session.
