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Point Mackenzie Prison Project Debated in State LegislatureThe Goose Creek prison project is under pressure after a senate committee heard the expected costs of operations last week.Related Content
Alaska lawmakers took up the controversial Point Mackenzie prison project Monday in Juneau. The Goose Creek prison project is under pressure after a senate committee heard the expected costs of operations last week. A bill was passed seven years ago to approve the price tag of the original project but officials don’t know how to finance expensive new water and sewer systems while the cost of the prison itself continues to rise. The state expects running the prison would cost $53 million a year which has prompted some lawmakers to say it's cheaper to mothball the project letting the prison go unused. "It's probably the Legislature’s fault for not following it close enough. You know, when they moved the facility from Palmer out to Point Mackenzie that added costs and so those costs are continuing to add and it's probably the Legislature’s fault that project wasn't overseen a little bit tighter than what it apparently has been," said State House Speaker Rep. Mike Chenault, Nikiski-R. But Rep. Anna Fairclough, Eagle River-R, says once a project bill gets passed through the House it shouldn't be the responsibility of lawmakers to make sure the project sticks to the plan. "My office doesn't get involved in the details after we've passed a project through here, that's up to the administration to make sure the public is properly engaged and that they make modifications and they deal with what the public is saying, not necessarily one individual legislator," said Rep.Fairclough. Goose Creek is about 80 percent complete. If it does open it would bring prisoners currently housed in Colorado back to Alaska making it the state's largest prison. |
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tyrod3 said on Monday, Jan 14 at 9:27 PM
Why can't the inmates raise their own vegetables and slaughter their own meat? They could even help the food bank. There is a lot of talent in prison. Why are they taking away the tools of their crafts. Inmates could sell their crafts and buy supplies through the prison. They did it in Arizona. The inmates also donate to some of the non-profit programs such as "Toys for Tots" and the Christmas tree program. They use their instruments for religious services. Why doesn't DOC leave them alone and tend to their business at hand like improving their medical program and getting other programs in place. DOC should also screen these wardens and administrators because they seem to think their jobs are to be nasty to the inmates. When the inmates have had enough it's not going to be a pretty sight. Let us pray for our loved ones who have been showing patience beyond belief since being sent outside. The entire DOC system should be overhauled beginning with the governor.
111337111r tisdell said on Tuesday, Jul 31 at 12:14 AM
75% of the incarcerated people in the world are incarcerated in the U S go figure? After the Point Machenzyanzy Dairy and Healy clean Coal it's dam hard to ague that term limits wouldnot undt help ldent
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