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HOT BUTTON ISSUE "An Informed Voter Is The Best Defense Against Bad Government"
PRIVATE PRISONS
Is Alaska Ripe For The "Corrections Industry" To Pick???
BILLS NOW IN THE LEGISLATURE CONCERNING THE "PRIVATE" PRISON ISSUE: HB 55 & SB 99 Since the initial introduction of HB 428 on January 17, 1996 the time and money expended by the legislature and various municipal jurisdictions promoting and pursuing a private prison financed with public funds has had no benefit for the state or for the taxpayers who have paid these costs.
An ongoing series of special interest legislation has been introduced for the benefit of a Texas based for-profit corporation at great expense to Alaskan taxpayers. After being voted down in Anchorage, Delta Junction, Kenai, and Wrangell, Cornell Corrections Corporation of Houston Texas have now set their sights on the Second Class City of Whittier.
With a population of less than 200 people, Whittier will never be able to pay for a project of this size without guaranteed state revenue. By using a questionable municipal financing maneuver, the legislature is attempting to circumvent Article IX, Section 8 of the Alaska Constitution which says: "No state debt shall be contracted unless authorized by law for capital improvements... and ratified by a majority of the qualified voters of the State who vote on this question". This particular legislation leaves the State of Alaska bearing the burden and ultimate responsibility of all costs for this proposed project. Over the 25 year life of this prison, the State of Alaska will pay out more than one billion dollars with all profits going to a private corporation. The City of Whittier and Cornell Industries will have no financial risk.
The legislature has proposed building this massive project with public money, but is not requiring competitive bids for the construction costs. This questionable process rewards private contractors who win contracts through their lobbying efforts rather than through an open competitive bidding process.
The State of Alaska has a serious budget deficit, and must consider ALL possible options, including the current arrangement with the privately owned and operated facility in Arizona. Public safety and sound correctional practices are in direct conflict with a private operator’s goal to make a profit. Our legislature must determine the highest and best use of limited public resources to determine the best alternative.
It should be noted that private for-profit prison operators benefit from new laws requiring incarceration, or longer sentences for existing crimes. Because they are paid for each day a prisoner remains in jail, there is no real incentive for private operators to give credit for good behavior or to rehabilitate prisoners. These factors contribute to more people being in prison, for longer periods of time, at an ever increasing cost to the taxpayers. With no real incentive to reduce recidivism or to promote options other than incarceration, the only winner in this scenario is the private prison operator.
Everyone should take a few minutes to become familiar with this important issue, then contact the legislature and media with an opinion.
Formal Resolution Opposing Private Prisons
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HB 55 Summary
HB 55, is the House version of SB 99. This special interest legislation will use public funds to construct a privately operated 1,200 bed prison in Whittier. Sponsored by Representatives Hawker, Rokeberg, and Kohring. The guaranteed per prisoner payment to Cornell Prison Industries of Houston Texas, is almost double our current cost of sending inmates to Arizona! An additional 453 prison beds will be built in four communities around the state for a total of 1,653 new beds. This is more than double the amount currently needed. Additional criminals will be needed to fill this surplus space, so look for new laws from Representatives Hawker, and Rokeberg! Recommend: Oppose
HB 55 Current Status
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SB 99 Summary
SB 99 is the Senate version of HB 55. This special interest legislation will use public funds to construct a privately operated 1,200 bed prison in Whittier. Sponsored by Senator Bunde. The guaranteed per prisoner payment to Cornell Prison Industries of Houston Texas, is almost double our current cost of sending inmates to Arizona! An additional 453 prison beds will be built in four communities around the state for a total of 1,653 new beds. This is more than double the amount currently needed. Additional criminals will be needed to fill this surplus space, so look for new laws from Representatives Hawker, and Rokeberg! Recommend: Oppose
SB 99 Current Status
Currently in Senate Finance Committee. Senate Finance Committee Members, email addresses, phone numbers, and vote results:
Senator Lyda Green ............ 907/465-6600 or 877/465 6601... Co-Chair Senator Gary Wilken ......... 907/465-3709 .................................. Co-Chair Senator Con Bunde ............. 907/465-4843 or 800/892-4843 .. Vice-Chair Senator Ben Stevens ........... 907/465-4993 or 866/465-4993
Senator Robin Taylor
.......... 907/465-3873 or 877/463-3873
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SB 99 Committee History
Passed out of the Senate State Affairs Committee March 17, 2003. Senate State Affairs Committee Members, email addresses, phone numbers, and vote results:
Senator Gary Stevens .................. 907/465-4925 or 800/821-4925 .. Chair NO REC. Senator John Cowdery ................ 907/465-3879 or 888/269-3879 .. Vice Chair ... DO PASS Senator Fred Dyson ..................... 907/465-2199 or 800/342-2199 ........................... DO PASS
Senator Gretchen Guess ............ 907/465-2435 or 800/550-2435
NO REC.
Testimony, Related News Articles, & Public Opinion
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