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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. LOCAL BUSINESSES MAY NOT STOCK THE NECESSARY MATERIALS. Local businesses seldom get contracts with the prison, thereby reducing economic linkages with the community.
5. 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.
6. 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.

1. How would the prison affect our social and educational systems?
2. What do the nearby residents of the proposed property think of the prison?
   
3. 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.
   
4. 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?
   
5. Will a public hearing be held?  Is public approval required? (In many places it is not)
   
6. 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.
   
7. 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.