I am posting a second trailer from PRISON TOWN USA. I can see our community in these scenes. It is sobering.
Friday, February 6, 2009
PRISON TOWN USA
While sifting through volumes of literature dealing with prisons in rural towns, I came across this documentary that sums up things quite well. I have a copy of this film and I encourage you to at least view the trailer for a small picture of what were could be looking at in the future.
My letter to Mr. Eldon Vail, Washington Department of Correction
I have sent a letter to Mr. Eldon Vail, Secretary of Washington Department of Correction, letting him know that there will be opposition to the proposal to bring a prison to Morton. Below is a copy of my letter.
February 2, 2009
Eldon Vail
Secretary, Department of Correction
PO Box 41100, Mail Step 41100
Olympia, WA 98504-1100
Dear Mr.Vail,
I am a business owner in Morton and was recently notified by members of the Chamber of Commerce about the proposal to build a correctional facility in the Morton area. I was amazed that the chamber had done so much fact finding and responded to the Department of Corrections in such a positive way without getting more response from citizens and other chamber members. I feel that they have misrepresented all the members of the Chamber. I am very opposed to a prison facility in our beautiful valley and have received that same opposition from many citizens that have now been informed of the chamber’s intentions.
I wanted to let you know that I am forming a group of citizens that are against bringing a correctional facility to Morton and that this proposal will not have the broad support that Mr. Hart insinuated in his letter to you dated January 15, 2009. Many of us have seen the statistics of prison economics in rural areas and know that this proposal will not restore prosperity to this area. I have created a blog (nomortonprison.blogspot.com) for the purpose of taking this issue to the public.
If you would like more information regarding our intentions, please contact me at 360-496-6060 or shanna@adamangel.com.
Shanna Angel
PO Box 1270
Morton, WA, 98356
MORTON ACTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The Morton Action Committee is the petitioner for a prison facility in Morton. Below is a list of their contact information. They are acting on the community's behalf so let them know your thoughts about a prison.
Ellie Worsham 360-496-6681 moonriver@lewiscounty.com
Pat Hart 360-496-2363 pjhart@centurytel.net
Paulette Redick 360-496-5494 redickf@centurytel.net
Betty Hutchinson 360-496-5672 benbetty@wildblue.net
Adam Angel 360-496-6060 adam@adamangel.com
Marc Fisher 360-496-3344 noblefir@lewiscounty.com
Blake Griffith 360-496-5900 blake.griffith@century21.com
Kip Henderson kip_henderson@morton.wednet.edu
Julian Compton 360-496-5822 comptonsnursery@centurytel.net
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Susanville
I encourage everyone to read the article Shanna posted about Susanville. Print it out and spend some time reading it carefully. It is alarming how what seemed like the "savior" of the town ended up destroying it. There is a lot in that article that one may think, "Yeah, but that wouldn't happen here. That's not the type of prison they are talking about."
However.
"Part of the problem was the state's bait-and-switch halfway through the process. Four months after voters approved a low to medium security facility, High Desert became a Level III and IV facility, housing the most violent offenders and those with 25-year to life terms...The implications of this newer security level were far-reaching."
This simple minimum-security prison idea has the potential to spiral out of control. Out of OUR control. The people of Morton and its surrounding community.
The article goes on to describe those far-reaching effects, many of which infiltrated people's homes via increased domestic violence, increased drugs and alcohol problems, increased youth violence. The long sentence terms brought in new residents who were there to be close to their inmate family members, bringing drugs and gang violence with them. The correctional officers who spent all day every day with the baddest our society has to offer couldn't help but let that leak into their homelife. A prison-contracted social worker who provides counseling to the prison employees explains, "The CO would say to me, 'my wife expects me to leave it at the door and be compassionate. It doesn't work like that.' It was awful."
It doesn't seem like that could happen here. But it could. Do we want to risk it?
However.
"Part of the problem was the state's bait-and-switch halfway through the process. Four months after voters approved a low to medium security facility, High Desert became a Level III and IV facility, housing the most violent offenders and those with 25-year to life terms...The implications of this newer security level were far-reaching."
This simple minimum-security prison idea has the potential to spiral out of control. Out of OUR control. The people of Morton and its surrounding community.
The article goes on to describe those far-reaching effects, many of which infiltrated people's homes via increased domestic violence, increased drugs and alcohol problems, increased youth violence. The long sentence terms brought in new residents who were there to be close to their inmate family members, bringing drugs and gang violence with them. The correctional officers who spent all day every day with the baddest our society has to offer couldn't help but let that leak into their homelife. A prison-contracted social worker who provides counseling to the prison employees explains, "The CO would say to me, 'my wife expects me to leave it at the door and be compassionate. It doesn't work like that.' It was awful."
It doesn't seem like that could happen here. But it could. Do we want to risk it?
PRISON ECONOMICS IN RURAL AMERICA
The Morton Chamber of Commerce wants jobs in Morton. Their answer to this demand would be to promote Morton as a potential site for a future prison. When asking many of the pro prison members why would we want a prison in Morton? Their only answer is "JOBS". Yes, we do need jobs in the area for growth and stability, but in reality do prison jobs actually bring about that economic security?
According to a 2003 study from The Sentencing Project, an independent organization, "Residents of rural counties with one or more prisons did not gain significant employment advantages compared to rural counties without prison".
This report studied the effects of a prison on local economies over a 25 year period during which 350 rural prison were built in the U.S.
The reasons communities that hosted prison received no economic advantages are:
- CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS DO NOT LIVE IN THE HOST COMMUNITY. A study of a host county in Missouri, for example, found that 68% of the jobs were filled by individuals not living in the host county. Therefore, over two-thirds of the tax revenue and other economic benefits lead out of the host county.
- LOCAL RESIDENTS MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR CONSTRUCTION JOBS. Prison construction jobs have requirements that local applicants may not meet. An examination of construction job bid data demonstrates that much of the money from prison construction and operation flows out of the host community.
- LOCAL RESIDENTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COMPETE FOR CORRECTIONS JOBS. Research on rural prison siting in California, Washington State and Missouri found that local residents did not fill most of the jobs in the new prisons.
- LOCAL BUSINESSES MAY NOT STOCK THE NECESSARY MATERIALS. Local businesses seldom get contracts with the prison, thereby reducing economic linkages with the community.
- LIMITED MULTIPLIER EFFECTS (spin off businesses) Rural economist Thomas Johnson notes that prisons are unlikely to bring about associated industries in the same way as a manufacturing plant.
- INMATES FILL LOW-WAGE JOBS. Inmates fill low-wage, low-skilled jobs that could be given to community individuals.
Bringing a prison to a community did not significantly influence either unemployment or per capita income. More importantly, once a town hosts a prison and becomes known as a "prison town", discussion and recruitment of further economic development is likely to be impossible.
These statistics are real and very important. The pitch of a prison helping Morton recover from its economic hardship and woes is enticing. But before we go to the Department of Corrections and welcome them in with open arms we should study the effects of prisons in other towns such as Morton and learn from their mistakes. There are also some questions that we should ask each other and The Morton Chamber of Commerce.
- How would the prison affect our social and educational systems?
- What do the nearby residents of the proposed property think of the prison?
- Morton is located in a unique area. Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Goat Rock Wilderness and so many other areas of astounding beauty are there for our use. We have fishing, skiing, hiking, hunting, boating, sailing, mountain biking, etc to promote. Will the label of "prison town" destroy this area for those who come into this area for these activities and those who may come here in the future. What a waste of resources.
- Where are the reputable research and feasibility studies that compare a prison siting versus sustainable development within the agribusiness, health care, eco-tourism or entrepreneurial efforts?
- Will a public hearing be held? Is public approval required? (In many places it is not)
- The Sentencing Project reports that a prison will put strain on aging water supplies, sewage and highway systems; burden local police and courts. Does Morton have sufficient water and sewer, highway systems, police and courts to manage this strain? With few exceptions, these items will be the responsibility of the city or local governing authority.
- Would a prison offer the kinds of careers that Morton and Lewis County parents want their children to aspire to? Morton kids can stay local and still become teachers, nurses, doctors, contractors, engineers, administrators, bankers, fishing or mountain guides, geologists, entrepreneurs, etc. Do we really want our kids to grow up dreaming of restraining people, inspecting cells, doing custodial work, and dealing with violent detainees?
I do not intend to belittle the efforts of those who have spent many hours working on this proposal. I know that their efforts come with the best intentions for this town and it's future.
Please take the time to consider the kind of development we seek. Development itself is not the answer. Positive development is.
For more information about the Sentencing Project report on prison and rural economies click here.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Letter to the Chamber
Thank you, Shanna, for adding me as a contributing administrator to this blog. I am a member of Morton's Chamber of Commerce, and fully recognize the need for something to be done to improve the economy here, bringing family-wage jobs to the immediate area. Last week I went to the monthly chamber meeting, and presented them with this letter about my concerns regarding bringing a prison to Morton. These are my and my husband's opinions. Please give me your feedback and opinions.
January 29, 2009
Dear Prison Exploratory Committee,
We appreciate your efforts in exploring employment opportunities to bring to Morton. Our local economy and lack of family-wage jobs is a real problem in our community, and we are encouraged by efforts to improve the economic situation for Morton and east Lewis County. However, we are very concerned about the idea to bring a prison into our community. While we definitely need family-wage jobs, and understand that the options seem limited, we strongly feel like bringing a prison into this community would be a mistake and would send us in the opposite direction of where we want to go.
Morton would be known as a “prison town”, which would have a negative effect on attracting quality people to our community. New families will not want to move into a community that has a prison at the center of its identity. Likewise, retired persons will be less inclined to move and settle down here. A prison in such a small town produces a vague feeling of unease, and will dissuade people looking for a new place to settle and make a home. Similarly, it very well may drive out existing professionals, especially those with families. Some of these are people whose jobs do not rely on the existing local economy, but who spend a good portion of their wages in town. The risk of a prison outbreak may be small, but the fear and concern will be real.
A prison in Morton will undermine Morton as a tourist destination. Tourism will never be the basis of the economy here, nor should it be, but it has been and can continue to grow as an important feature of our economy. Being a “prison town” will stifle the efforts made by individuals and organizations such as the Cowlitz Valley Historical Society and the Fire Mountain Arts Council to bring visitors to town and improve the quality of life for us locals. Visitors passing through enjoying the myriad of scenic and recreational opportunities in the area will keep on passing through, rather than stop and staying a while, spending their money at our local businesses.
The intent of the prison is to bring family-wage jobs to the area, but we also wonder how many real jobs will be created, and how many local people will be filling those jobs. Will the higher paying positions be filled by locals, or by people who travel in from out of town or out of county, returning to their home communities at the end of the day, spending their money elsewhere? Other businesses and industries in the area work this way, and we don’t see why the prison would be different.
The proposed location of the prison is another concern. It is very near properties with family members of all ages. It will drive down the value of their properties, and cause a real feeling of unease for the people living closest to the prison. Additionally, it seems like a prison should be located on a flat, open parcel with long sight lines. We do not presume to understand the needs or regulations of a prison, but it seems like a prison in the woods or on a hillside would be an unsafe choice.
Please remember that a prison is forever, and they tend to grow over time. If after it is built, the community decides that they are not happy with the prison being here, it is too late for us to change our minds.
Let’s think about the future that we want for Morton, not only in terms of number of jobs but also in terms of quality of life. We understand the difficulty of finding an industry that will provide family-wage jobs to the area, but this is not the answer. We should consider the upcoming infrastructure and “new deal” type of projects, renewable energy and bio-fuel production through cellulose waste, helping our mills move into the new economy which is using less raw lumber but plenty of engineered lumber products. We need to think outside the box and pursue ideas and opportunities that will build up Morton and east Lewis County.
Thank you for considering our thoughts and opinions. And as always, thank you for the work you are doing to improve our community.
Sincerely,
Gretchen Jones and Scott Brooks
January 29, 2009
Dear Prison Exploratory Committee,
We appreciate your efforts in exploring employment opportunities to bring to Morton. Our local economy and lack of family-wage jobs is a real problem in our community, and we are encouraged by efforts to improve the economic situation for Morton and east Lewis County. However, we are very concerned about the idea to bring a prison into our community. While we definitely need family-wage jobs, and understand that the options seem limited, we strongly feel like bringing a prison into this community would be a mistake and would send us in the opposite direction of where we want to go.
Morton would be known as a “prison town”, which would have a negative effect on attracting quality people to our community. New families will not want to move into a community that has a prison at the center of its identity. Likewise, retired persons will be less inclined to move and settle down here. A prison in such a small town produces a vague feeling of unease, and will dissuade people looking for a new place to settle and make a home. Similarly, it very well may drive out existing professionals, especially those with families. Some of these are people whose jobs do not rely on the existing local economy, but who spend a good portion of their wages in town. The risk of a prison outbreak may be small, but the fear and concern will be real.
A prison in Morton will undermine Morton as a tourist destination. Tourism will never be the basis of the economy here, nor should it be, but it has been and can continue to grow as an important feature of our economy. Being a “prison town” will stifle the efforts made by individuals and organizations such as the Cowlitz Valley Historical Society and the Fire Mountain Arts Council to bring visitors to town and improve the quality of life for us locals. Visitors passing through enjoying the myriad of scenic and recreational opportunities in the area will keep on passing through, rather than stop and staying a while, spending their money at our local businesses.
The intent of the prison is to bring family-wage jobs to the area, but we also wonder how many real jobs will be created, and how many local people will be filling those jobs. Will the higher paying positions be filled by locals, or by people who travel in from out of town or out of county, returning to their home communities at the end of the day, spending their money elsewhere? Other businesses and industries in the area work this way, and we don’t see why the prison would be different.
The proposed location of the prison is another concern. It is very near properties with family members of all ages. It will drive down the value of their properties, and cause a real feeling of unease for the people living closest to the prison. Additionally, it seems like a prison should be located on a flat, open parcel with long sight lines. We do not presume to understand the needs or regulations of a prison, but it seems like a prison in the woods or on a hillside would be an unsafe choice.
Please remember that a prison is forever, and they tend to grow over time. If after it is built, the community decides that they are not happy with the prison being here, it is too late for us to change our minds.
Let’s think about the future that we want for Morton, not only in terms of number of jobs but also in terms of quality of life. We understand the difficulty of finding an industry that will provide family-wage jobs to the area, but this is not the answer. We should consider the upcoming infrastructure and “new deal” type of projects, renewable energy and bio-fuel production through cellulose waste, helping our mills move into the new economy which is using less raw lumber but plenty of engineered lumber products. We need to think outside the box and pursue ideas and opportunities that will build up Morton and east Lewis County.
Thank you for considering our thoughts and opinions. And as always, thank you for the work you are doing to improve our community.
Sincerely,
Gretchen Jones and Scott Brooks
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