With fewer inmates, state prepares to close prison units

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

OLYMPIA — State corrections officials are beginning this month to consolidate partially filled housing units at the Washington State Reformatory in Monroe as part of a plan to deal with thousands of empty beds in correctional facilities statewide.

By mid-August, housing units at seven prisons, including two minimum security units in the Monroe Correctional Complex, are to be closed.

And eventually, at the 111-year-old reformatory, one of five units in the Monroe complex, all living units will be shuttered under details released Monday by Corrections Secretary Cheryl Strange. The capacity of that unit is 720 inmates. The entire complex has a capacity of 2,400.

“Our criteria for decision-making are based on finding unit closures and consolidations that have the least impact on staff, incarcerated persons and their families, and minimize negative effects on programs, education, healthcare, and other critical services,” Strange wrote in a letter sent to lawmakers, staff, advocates, prisoners and their families.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/with-fewer-inmates-state-prepares-to-close-prison-units/

[rickyhall]

1. OMG PROGRESS! It's been way too long.

[riversedge]

2. good for Wa state it the people--in and out of prison--and their families

[NQAS]

3. What are the plans regarding

redevelopment of these facilities for something else. Senior housing? Homeless housing? I know that prisons are often located in remote areas, but I still wonder what the plans are.