The Prison Relocation Commission (PRC) held the first of three open houses on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 to share information, and answer questions from the public. The event was moderated, with audience members submitting questions for screening. The open house featured informational displays with question-and-answer sessions during the final two hours. About 200 people showed up to the event, including State Representatives and Senators.

There are currently five potential sites in the running for the new facility: two near Eagle Mountain in northwest Utah County, two near Grantsville in Tooele County and one west of the Salt Lake International Airport at Interstate 80 and 7200 West in Salt Lake County.

Easily over 50 questions were asked and answered by the panel of guests, and the session was both informative and civil.

Keeping the Prison in Draper

Several times, the audience asked questions about keeping the site in Draper and the panel was poised and ready with responses of why the site needs to move, mainly focused on economics. First, the economic survey conducted in 2014 supports moving the prison due to perceived long term economic opportunity for redevelopment of the current Draper land. The PRC also sees Draper as a central economic hub for the growing tech industry on the southern Wasatch Front and the PRC feels it would be a mistake to rebuild the prison in its current location because of the value of the land. Finally, the PRC stated that their priority is build a new prison designed to help to fix problems within the criminal justice system and improve the facilities to reduce recidivism and provide more custom care for inmates.

When asked about a staged rebuild, there were cheers from the crowd indicating support for keeping it in its current location. Here are several important reasons on why the PRC has found this isn’t a wise choice:

1. If the State of Utah doesn’t build a new prison, citizens won’t be able to reap the rewards from the newly passed HB348 which will make the state safer by attempting to lowering crime rates, keep people out prison, and stunt growth of the current prison population.
2. The Draper site is in dire repair, and the Department of Corrections doesn’t have the space to provide appropriate services for the current population. There is a false presumption is that most buildings are okay, with only the Wasatch and Oquirrh buildings needing improvement; however, the PRC advised that others are failing dramatically in the ways they operate and function.
3. It’s impractical to do rebuild on the current site. If you look at the conceptions of the new design, it simply won’t fit there from a square footage perspective, and if they tear it down there won’t be a place to temporarily house the 4,000 inmates.
4. Two independent consultants hired by the PRC said not to build it there and in the long term, it would not be good for taxpayers, for State of Utah, or for the economy to keep it there. The PRC believes it will be in best long term investment for the state to move to a new site.

The PRC compared building the new prison to the 2012 Olympics, or the I-15 expansion. They encouraged attendees to think about how the long term view will help future taxpayer generations.

Environment

Several attendees submitted questions regarding environmental concerns of the Salt Lake City site. The PRC advised that the ultimate goal regarding the Salt Lake City site is to avoid impact on the wetlands, duck hunting clubs and ground water, and be able to justify the recommendations the PRC is making, so they do not face any legal ramifications after making the final site recommendation. Regarding specific concerns of liquefaction of the ground in the event of an earthquake, the environmental impact study covers that in great detail, and cost estimates include the building costs to cover those issues. Additionally, the PRC discussed that in the event of an earthquake, the Draper site is unsafe and prisoners would need to be relocated immediately and it poses a safety thread to the State. The new site would resolve those concerns with a “stay in place” strategy.

The PRC states that the infusion of corrections employees into the host community of the new correctional facility will bring stable, recession-proof jobs. As employees purchase houses, shop, dine, and live in the community, it will boost the local economy. Additionally, corrections officers are trained in law enforcement techniques and are upstanding, vigilant community members. They are good neighbors, will be the eyes and ears of the community, and will help make the community in which they live a safer place for everyone.

Criminal Justice Reform and New Treatment Programs

The PRC stated that one of the goals is to replace the 4,000 beds that are currently in Draper, not expand the size of the site. Additionally, they’d like to select a site that allows the State to make changes in the criminal justice system which deter from building additional beds, in the hope is that felony convictions do not require a correctional stay.

Part of this new program involves adequately screening and assessing offenders to fully understand mental health needs and substance abuse disorders to treat them accordingly, provide more one on one attention and focus on goal oriented outcomes. This involves hiring clinical therapists, psychologists and other mental health counselors, raising concerns about hiring and recruiting skilled medical staff and volunteers of the prison is too far away from mass transit and interstates.

The Department of Corrections noted the average stay for an inmate in Draper is currently 2.5 years. The hope of the PRC and DOC is that the new facility would change the way they treat prisoners. Newer facilities would be more conducive to innovative treatments, safer environments for inmates and staff, reduction of physical and sexual assaults, and allow for more interaction of staff and the inmate population.

Costs and Taxes

The economic impact study that was provided Jan 2014, includes detailed cost estimates for the new facility. The PRC stated the new tax would be approximately 1 half of 1 percent, and that a community vote option is on the table, so the community would have to vote to have it enacted. The current cost of maintaining the prison in 2014, is approximately $238M, just for maintenance, not replacing the site. Replacing the site adds several hundred million, upwards of $400M for prolonging maintaining the existing site. The new site would sit on approximately 4,000-5,000 of property, of which the prison would take up 500 acres. There is possibility of future development around and near the site.

The PRC advised that after the new location is chosen, a different group chosen by the legislature will be created to assist in further development of the new site.

Support for Moving the Prison

Supporters include a coalition of legal aid groups and advocacy organizations for inmates, the disabled and mentally ill is pushing for a new prison saying needed changes won’t come without a move.

“People Not Prisons” said a new Utah State Prison would provide a chance for criminal justice reforms, better rehabilitation options for inmates and a better work environment for Corrections employees — something that is not available at the current Draper site.

The Commission has until August 1 to pick a location to build a 4,000-bed penitentiary that will cost the state at least $500 million to build.

The Mayor and Salt Lake City Council have written a joint statement of opposition to the prison move to Salt Lake City.

Learn More

If you were unable to attend the town hall, or would like to submit additional questions to the PRC, use the contact details below.

The next two PRC open houses will be May 28th at Grantsville High School from 4-9 p.m. and June 2nd at Frontier Middle School in Eagle Mountain, also from 4-9 p.m.

Salt Lake City website of information: http://www.slccouncil.com/proposed-prison-relocation/

State Prison Relocation Commission website: http://le.utah.gov/asp/interim/prc.asp