New State Prison in Idaho Falls
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I hope someone builds a privately-run state prison in the Idaho Falls area. A new prison in our area would provide many local jobs, it would be a shot in the arm for local growth, and Idaho is overdue for a new prison anyways.
It makes sense for Idaho to locate the next major detention facility in eastern Idaho. The state pen is southwest of Boise, and north Idaho has the Cottonwood facility. The next logical location has to be eastern Idaho, and Idaho Falls could secure that bounty if we move quickly and smartly.
I think just west or north of town would be the best locations. Just north of town along Holmes and around the dump area would probably be best for the close proximity to the Bonneville County Jail, and easy access to the freeway and the downtown courthouse.
I think the facility should be privately run. A public prison would entail begging for tax dollars and the location, whereas a private prison would likely entail only nailing the contract. I think our state representatives would go for the easy solution if a private prison were planned in our area.
I think the prison would boost our economy with the construction, the security jobs, and the trickle-down effects of prisoner family members coming through Idaho Falls to see their loved ones.
I realize the big drawback to a prison in our community is the potential for escapes and the danger to property values. Property values are another reason why I think the area around Hatch Pit would be a good location.
I had the idea the prison could be surrounded by several hundred yards of 6-10″ river rocks between the facility and the outer brick wall topped with razor wire. Nobody can run across that size river rocks without breaking their ankle.
What do you think of a prison industry diversifying our local economy and community?
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Comments
Vote:
0 
0 Good points. I figured as long as the property-devaluing aspect of the dump already existed, perhaps the prison could find a happy co-existence somewhere in a mile or so of that area.
Perhaps just on the far side of the airport or in the path one way or the other of planes taking off?
I don’t necessarily disagree with you that Pocatello or Blackfoot might be more receptive to a prison that us, but you never know. If a good location and a good design come together with good management and there are a hundred or so potential new jobs, the community might accept it.
Vote:
0 0 I’d rather see the money spent on new urbanism of EITC to create a Community College in Idaho Falls. But, I do understand what you are proposing.
Clearly, there is money to be made in corrections, along with the risks, or private companies wouldn’t be performing this work.
Vote:
0 0 Let’s build a prison to grow regional jobs? Oh brother, the dilemma of the eastern Idaho economy.
Vote:
0 0 Way to take one part of the rationale and make it seem that was the only point. You must enjoy FOX News.
The argument in favor of a prison is first because there is a need in Idaho. We are shipping our prisoners out of state at great cost.
Second, it seems fair and balanced that eastern Idaho should be next in line to get any new prison facility.
Finally, if it is located in eastern Idaho, I think Idaho Falls should vie for it to get some more jobs.
I hope you read that there are other points to the discussion.
I agree with OK4Now’s point about putting money towards EITC, which is why I think the new prison would be best if run privately.
Vote:
0 0 We have more people per capita in prison in this country than any other developed nation. Maybe we should give some thought to prosecuting those crimes where there is an actual plaintiff involved instead of locking up every guy we find with a marijuana plant in his window sill. If 85% of our inmates in this state are in jail because of drugs, maybe its time to think about treatment and education before incarceration; maybe then the debate would be over which schools to fund. It seems like the old argument from econ. 101 and the guns and butter issue, with education taking a back seat to this insane war on drugs. Wouldn’t it be nice to debate sites for new schools as opposed to sites for new prisons?
Vote:
0 0 I agree wholeheartedly, meso.
That’s an entire different discussion that I would love to read someone write about.
Given that we do have this prison overcrowding problem, and given that our legislature is not likely to decriminalize lesser offenses, is the reason I wrote this article.
Vote:
0 0 There is a prison in Southeast Idaho, it is a women’s prison in Pocatello.
I agree with Ok4Now, “I’d rather see the money spent on new urbanism of EITC to create a Community College in Idaho Falls.”
The idea of wanting to bring a prison to Idaho Falls is a bit disturbing and I am not sure why except, “If you build it they will come…”
I suspect the topic/article is designed to draw people into discussion.
Vote:
0 0 agwriter: I have heard of that prison before, but had forgotten of it. Thanks for reminding me.
However, my read of the news is our state pen in Boise is overcrowded with male prisoners, so the Pocatello facility does not solve the problem.
Again, I agree with you and Ok4Now, yes I would rather see money spent on education than prisons. Until some crimes are decriminalized or we get an influx of more cash for all our wants, we have to deal with the overcrowded prisons.
Why are you disturbed by the idea of wanting to bring a prison to Idaho Falls?
I stated why Idaho Falls should have the prison (1) Idaho is overdue for a new prison (2) East Idaho is overdue for the next state prison (3) Idaho Falls should try to take it to generate a few more jobs in our area.
I gave three reasons, so I don’t understand why you read that as “I am not sure why except, “If you build it they will come…” ” Did you read the article or just the headline?
You finished with “I suspect the topic/article is designed to draw people into discussion.”
So rather than debate the discussion merits (why Idaho may not have overcrowded prisons, why east Idaho may not be next in line for a prison, why we may not want this in our community), you dismiss the entire discussion as being introduced for ulterior motives?
I would appreciate more meat on your discussion points, agwriter.
Vote:
0 0 Ok Joe, to be truthful it was my first response, I have visited the prison in Pocatello and volunteered to work there one day while I was going to college at ISU, I learned alot about prisons and in particular the women’s prison, it was built specifically for women, and other women’s prisons throughout the nation have patterned their buildings from this one, very interesting actually,
The whole topic of prisons is controversial, and as a member of the community I would like to look at other ways of generating jobs here, and in fact right now the unemployement is at 2.2 percent, not enough people for the jobs…
building our community we should take advantage of the surrounding area and what it has to offer in terms of the unique valley and mountaneous beauty, we have world famous fly-fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, hunting, outdoor activities galore, and so many more unique characteristics, and the growth is unbelievable, shouldn’t we act on these characteristics… shouldn’t we seek ways to draw employement and economic growth that uses the beauty here naturally? these are all positive ideas.
In other words, a prison should be located in an area that enhances the punishment of those who are sent there, (which is the intent), and not in a beautiful valley… maybe that sounds harsh, and I am sorry if it does, but there are better ways to bring in economic stability and growth in this lovely valley I grew up in, live and work…
Vote:
0 0 Thanks for your response agwriter, I liked this one better.
I may have emphasized the jobs part too much. I certainly don’t think we should pin all of our economic hopes and dreams onto a prison. In fact, it would likely provide less than a hundred jobs.
I don’t know if our industries should take such advantage of our natural resources. They can be overused and depleted. I appreciate your positive outlook on it, though.
In my opinion, the prisoners should not see much of anything outside their cell walls or the prison yard anyways, so I don’t think that matters.
I have visited the prison in Cottonwood, as a national guardsman doing our annual shooting qualifications, we had to use the police range outside the prison. The prisoners in Cottonwood enjoy an envious view of beautiful Idaho wilderness. I don’t think a prison located north or west of Idaho Falls would provide nearly as nice of views.
Again, I don’t think this is the cure-all of our economic worries. I think we need to do all we can to diversify our economy. I think a prison would help that economic diversification, and it would be a long-term solution.
Vote:
0 0 In terms of the natural resources, I did not mean to use them, only to utilize them in a way that enhances the experiences of life here… as well as promote the sense that we live and spend our vacations here because the surrounding area has so much to offer, we are the door to several world-famous parks and recreation, protecting this doorway is important…
our cultural community is growing as well, and the Arts Council has alot of new ideas to accompany the growth…
when you say we need to diversify our economy I am curious as to why a prison is a way to diversify, have you conducted an informal survey, or a formal survey…? and if so, what are the community members saying about bringing a prison here…?
are there no other ideas to diversify?
I apologize but the idea of building a prison here is not appealing in the least, and I am not writing to please… only to share another opinion.
Vote:
0 0 Ok, I misunderstood your intentions on the natural resources. I thought you meant to use them as much as absolutely possible.
I say the prison would diversify the economy just by providing more jobs that are law enforcement-type and would likely pay more than average ($12-16) for our area.
I don’t know what the community members are saying besides the comments posted here. You and I disagree on it, and the other comments are mixed, but we are certainly a small sample.
I would love to hear what others say, please feel free to hit the ‘email this to a friend’ and you can ask your friends and family or coworkers to put in their two-cents.
I imagine most people would not be opposed to it, provided certain conditions like security.
Sure there are other ways to diversify, diversity itself means a variety. The chains stores we are getting inundated with are all service/retail though, and are homogenizing our economy.
I agree, the prison would not be appealing. All of our check-n-loans and title loans and payday loan stores around town are not sexy, either, but they serve an (unfortunate) purpose in our economy.
I think the prison would also serve a valuable purpose to both the state and Idaho Falls.
Vote:
0 0 “and in fact right now the unemployement is at 2.2 percent, not enough people for the jobs…”
Be cautious with those numbers. They don’t look at UNDERemployment, only unemployment.
There are several people in the United States forced into lower-paying jobs when they have been laid off from a mid-level management job and are unable to find one again before unemployment payments and savings run out… Barbara Ehrenreich’s book “Bait & Switch” does a good job at examining the issue.
Vote:
0 0 I think I might be able to offer an insight into this. I work for the Department of Corrections as a Correctional Officer and have worked at the Pocatello Womens Correctional Center and now work at the Idaho Falls Community Work Center.
Many people don’t know that Idaho Falls has a Community Work Center (CWC), but we are here right across the street from Stock on Bombarbier Avenue. We have 84 inmates of which 76 work in the community. While at the CWC they are paying their restitution, supporting their families and on top of that, paying 30% of their wages to the State of Idaho.
As for a State Prison being built in Eastern Idaho, I haven’t heard of any plans. Our previous Director had passed over Eastern Idaho and flagged Lewiston for the next Prison, but that was just in the planning phases. He has since moved on. The new Director though is looking at creating a Community Corrections Campus which would combine the CWC with Probation and Parole plus some. He invisions a 200+ bed facility which would provide more beds for people to work in the community instead of being really locked up. Some bed space would also be used to offer more intense supervision to Parole violators. A last chance before being sent back to prison.
The current inmate population is growing at a rate of 300 people a year and until there is massive judical reform in the state, this number will not be decreasing. Our only hope at managing these people is in CWC’s and out on the street in Probation/Parole. Currently there are 450 Community Correctional staff supervising 12,000 individuals. Approximately 550 of these are in CWC’s. So there is huge number of felons on the streets, being productive members of society. I think this is where our focus should be. Create more CWC’s, create more Parole Officer jobs, get more inmates out of the cells and on the streets.
Vote:
0 0 Thank you for your insight, you obviously have familiarity with this issue.
I like this idea of the CWC’s. Is there room for more in the Idaho Falls area?
Can these CWC’s be privately run?
It sounds like a much better solution than a prison, and there may still be local business opportunity in it.
Vote:
0 0 I believe there is room in the Idaho Falls area for an expansion of the CWC but that would entail an operational change on the CWC’s part. Currently, no one can work between the hours of 2100 - 0500, in the food industry (excepts are Cedricks, Pinecrest and Frontier Pies) and in jobs that change job location multiple times a day (B&K Lawn services excluded). Also we will not transport inmates outside of a 7 mile radius from the CWC. Those and a few other operational things need to change to maximize the capacity of the CWC to put inmates to work.
As for a CWC being privately run, I have no idea! I have no figures for Idaho Correctional Center (ICC) the only private prison in Idaho. But I do have the figures for this CWC.
Cost to Build (1995): $880,989
Capacity: 84 inmates
Annual Budget (operational/personel): ~$1,000,000
Gross inmate wages earned annually: ~$1,200,000
30% Collected: ~$360,000
Annual Van fees collected: ~$50,000
Vote:
0 0 According to the AP (via local news 8):
There may be a 400-bed drug prison built somewhere in Idaho soon. A Lewiston legislator tried to get it there, but the DOC wants it in Boise.
His reason? The same as mine: “as an outlet for local drug offenders and to boost the region’s economy — first with construction and then with prison-related jobs.”
As I understand it, religion and faith can be big factors in many addicts’ road to recovery. Isn’t eastern Idaho recognized as one of the most religious parts of the state?
Wouldn’t it make more sense for Idaho Falls to get this 400-bed drug prison?
Are our local legislator’s willing to fight for us to get this?
Vote:
0 0 So we have run the poll question for a couple weeks now, and here are the responses:
Question: If a new state prison were to be built in east Idaho, would you want it around Idaho Falls?
38% Yes, I’m sure it would be secure and provide local jobs. (25 Votes)
36% No, I don’t want this around our community. (24 Votes)
26% Possibly, but only under certain conditions. (17 Votes)
Total Votes: 66
Those people who would support it under certain conditions could go either way, so this is definitely a viable option for Idaho Falls.
Given the news that Idaho may build new detention facilities (whether CWC’s as described in earlier comments or the reported 400-bed drug prison), I think Idaho Falls’ legislators should fight to get this project for us.
Vote:
0 0 I hope it happens, it would give me better promotional options!
Vote:
0 0 The Post Register reported today that Vaughn Killeen said Idaho will have over 1,600 prisoners out of state in the next five years if new prison facilities are not built.
I think there is no stopping new prisons from being built in Idaho. Perhaps some sentencing reform will happen to reduce that burden, but I do not think it will affect 1,600 prisoners’ worth.
So the question really is, does Idaho Falls want a piece of this?
Are we not due for a piece of this?
Are our representatives going to try to get this piece for us and our local economy?
Vote:
0 0 Idaho needs a new prison as prison population is growing like a wildfire on the desert. I spent 7 years in a maximum security prison near Boise and I know how populated and crowded that the prisons are. Murders, assaults, riots, restlessness, and aggravation are all factors in the overcrowding here in Idaho.
However, a good location for the prison is still a concern. Up by the Ririe Reservoir on the Iona bench and foothills would be a good location as would somewhere in the farms out in Osgood or possibly even in Jefferson County between Roberts and Mud Lake. Another good location would be somewhere around the Antelope Flats area of Swan Valley as there are no homes and very few ranches and farms here. Maybe this would be a good opportunity to open a prison ranch here for the inmates who have worked on ranches their entire lives.
But I agree that it will be years before a prison or correctional facility is built in the location.
Vote:
0 0 The PR reported today the state is projecting they will have to ship more and more inmate out of state to private prisons, at a cost higher than if they could house them in Idaho prisons.
I think a privately-run prison could be successful in the Idaho Falls area. Charge the state the difference between what they pay in state prisons and what they pay the out of state prisons, and we would undoubtedly keep the prisoners here.
Actually, one could probably charge just under what the state is paying out-of-state prisons, and the state would probably still pay for in-state incarceration. Keeping those dollars in Idaho would be that important.
I wonder what the minimum standards are for starting a private prison, with a projected initial population of 50-100 prisoners?
Vote:
0 0 I spent over 10 years working in State Corrections here in Idaho Falls. The CWC’s were a nice idea…only one problem, unlike having a state prison here where convicts leave the facility and leave the area, CWC’s attract these guys to stay here. For example, a guy gets sentenced out of Kootenai county in the panhandle and gets a CWC assignment in Idaho Falls until he is eligible for parole. Time and time again these jerks got out, stayed in the area, sucked up resources, violated and got sent back to prison. THIS MEANS NEW CRIME FOR OUR AREA. This is not very attractive. The Idaho Falls CWC is one of the few in the state that is allowed to take Murderers as well. Other CWC’s aren’t allowed to because of active city and county government intervention. Apparently, our leaders were asleep at the wheel when negotiations of this kind were made.
Idaho does need a new prison. They should build it in Pocatello next to the Womens Facility for security reasons, ease of transport, and for parole hearing schedules. Eastern Idaho does need a new facility just not in our neck of the woods.
Vote:
0 0 Idaho’s prison population is expected to grow another 5,500 in the next 10 years, and the state is expected to pay another billion dollars for it.
Governor Butch Otter sounds like he would rather expand our prison population through privately-run prison contracts, and I think that is a better idea than the state-run systems, so long as Idaho creates and enforces important guidelines.
It is doubtful one private prison will be enough, two or three will have to be built to accommodate this prison growth.
If these prisons are going to be built anyways, does Idaho Falls want one near or in our city? There is a lot of potential tax and income revenues from this.
I understand the problem that released prisoners could hang around Idaho Falls causing more problems. Maybe the city could offer a non-refundable, one-way bus ticket out of town for released prisoners? We earn the money from their prison sentence, then invest a small amount to give them the opportunity to go elsewhere.
Vote:
0 0 I think there should be different types of prisons. A low risk prison in the I.F. area, perhaps in an area that wouldn’t get developed otherwise, I don’t think would be the worst idea.
Last week with the CA fires, in San Diego County, Gov. Schwarzenegger authorized the use of the prison population that had been training to be specialized firefighters. Interestingly enough about 10% were women.
These were not prisoners being “made to work” on the fires. These were people who were learning a after prison skill that were asked to help early.
This program makes a lot of sense to me. If one considers that many crimes are committed for the “rush” or high of it all, why not transfer that need for an adrenaline fix into something positive?
As I understand the program, these prisoners, when released, will work with agencies like BLM etc. to be hot shots for the fires. I say good for CA and those who designed this program.
This allows ex-prisoners jobs that pay well, require certain skills for which they train for while incarcerated.
I’m quite certain that anyone who wants to return to any city, whether or not they were incarcerated there or not, will find a way.
For me, the better question at this point would be if the Idaho Falls area were to get a prison, what type of prisoners would be most compatible and the most accepted? Whether some of us believe it or not, most of us deal with ex-cons in one way or another weekly. We just may not know it.
I think it would be useful to solicit opinions from residents/leaders of Cottonwood and neighboring states who have the “expansion prisons” of how much at risk their population feels.
A prison creates a lot of jobs and some cities compete for the opportunity for them.
Also, a person living in northern ID tipped me off a few months ago there could be a POST school in the works for eastern ID.
As usual, Gov. Otter is funding northern ID first. I guess the good news is he is learning to say “eastern ID” and that the more residents who live here are getting more vocal about Boise vs. the rest of the state. Of course, this is the Gov. who held his private victory party at BSU’s VIP Athletic Facility. Odd how much money BSU athletics got this year compared to general education anywhere else in the state.
So, if eastern ID were indeed to get a POST school, it seems to make sense to me that a prison could be a useful real life classroom.
Additionally, if the goal of prison is to rehabilitate those who truly want to learn new skills, then ID should be smart enough to look at what neighboring states are doing.
Salt Lake Community College expanded another campus by the POST training facility. One program located there is culinary arts. Students who are learning about cooking for a career and the different nutritional needs of many. The students prepare 100% of the POST candidates meals. It’s a win/win.
A similar arrangement could be built in eastern ID.
As Joe suggested yesterday, perhaps if Idaho Falls had yet another name change to Boise, Jr., appropriates and programs may come flying our way.
BTW - I thought the ID legislature last year approved $ to build the model program for adolescents in jail for ETHOL and drugs. I’ve seen ads for positions, but I thought an addition to the Bonneville County Jail was to be added as well. Does anyone know anything about this?
Vote:
0 0 I like the idea of prisoners helping to fight the fires, but don’t think they’ll be getting jobs in their local fire departments once their released from prison. Most all state and city perssonell with positions available will not hire anybody that’s been convicted of a felony. So although its great that these prisioners get to get outside for a bit and help the community, their efforts will not help them secure a job in firefighting later on down the line, when released.
Vote:
0 0 Idaho currently has fire crews that work out of 2 state prisons, one in St.Anthony and the other in Orofino. Many of the men on these crews goto work for the Bureau of Land Management during the fire season. The BLM is clearly aware of their record….so far, it has worked out well for all concerned.
As for Idaho Falls getting a State Prison, it depends on the mechanism they utilize to fund it. If they go private, it may well go in Boise as they already have land available at the Prison complex near Gowen Field. If they go public, this opens up the field to jockeying by legislators to get the governor to give their area the nod. Interestingly, 3 years ago there was a backlash in Kootenai County when a proposed Community Work Center was to be built. The plans were ready, the ground was picked out for purchase. A groundswell of opposition from folks that said “Not In My Backyard” took over and killed the plan. Thus, Northern Idaho seems opposed to the idea.
Cottonwood is located farther south by Lewiston and it’s local economy thrives on the prison. However, there are not enough people in the area to staff a larger prison. So, it may come down to the Twin Falls and Idaho Falls area(s). Twin has the edge because they are more centrally located between West and East Idaho for transportation purposes. They also have Dean Cameron (R-Rupert)as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee on their side. There is also an old State Mental Hospital that is being looked at near Gooding as a site for a prison. However, they don’t have legislators in top leadership posts like we do (Bart Davis)….if our pols really want it I think they could certainly try to influence Otter and land it here.
Vote:
0 0 Interesting dynamics, politics, and philosophies on this subject. This should be an active subject over the next year.
I guess a larger part of this will be local acceptance or opposition. We ran a poll on this topic when I wrote the article, and I remember most results were against an IF prison. Of course our polls are unscientific and maybe local attitudes have changed on this topic, I think we should keep talking about what a local prison would look like, where it could be located, how it would “fit” with our community.
Vote:
0 0 I wouldn’t be opposed to a local prison if it was along the lines of Cottonwood. Mainly for rehabilitation. Most (but not all — Mason being one of the exceptions) are only sent to Cottonwood for a period of approximately 6 months.
Vote:
0 0 Years ago there was talk of building a prison just north of Mackay (I think the proposed site was even N of the Dam). Don’t know what happened to that idea, but I remember at the time it was considered an almost done deal.
Vote:
0 0 maybe we could have a chocolate river surrounding it with a graham cracker moat. nobody can swim through warm chocolate. we could also have laser beams installed. i think we need to keep ourselves safe and distanced from these hardcore criminals that smoke pot. its a fact the pot makes you a terrible worker and you are going to hell if you smoke or do drugs…………lets try treatment and put out an effort to fix something that obviously time does not fix. think about it
Vote:
0 0 Me thinks John has the munchies. Maybe he needs to protect himself from use of a leafy green substance?
Vote:
0 0 post 32….now THAT’s funny!
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Vote:
The only part of your plan that wont work is building the prison near the hatch pit. Fairway Estates is building south and east toward this location and if you drive by, you can see the north border of the hatch pit has homes not more than 100 yards away. I’m sure no one that lives there or the developer would agree to a prison in their backyard. If I remember correctly, when the hatch pit closes, the remaining hole will be filled so that more development can take place. I think that area has more potential use as residential than anything else.
I agree with you about all the economic impacts a new prison could have, but I really have my doubts that it could be built here. In my opinion, I could see Pocatello or Blackfoot taking a new prison in a heartbeat.