The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

How and why to bring a prison to your town by local boosters.
http://www.co.alexander.nc.us/2004docs/20040315m.htm

Excerpt from the minutes of
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ALEXANDER COUNTY
REGULAR MEETING
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

March 15, 2004

***SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS***

Commissioner Harbinson discussed the new Alexander Correctional Institution at which a ribbon cutting ceremony would be held on Tuesday, March 16, 2004. Commissioner Harbinson stated that the prison was the result of much effort, persistence, and hard work and he discussed the benefits of having this facility in Alexander County, which including the following:

TOP TEN BENEFITS OF THE ALEXANDER CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION TO THE CITIZENS AND TAXPAYERS OF ALEXANDER COUNTY

Alexander County paid $1.3 million for the land and water and sewer accommodations as an incentive for the State of North Carolina to construct, with State funds, an $80 million State prison in Alexander County ­ one of the largest in the State-funded projects in the history of western North Carolina. As a result, the citizens and taxpayers of Alexander County have already received or will receive the following benefits:

1. The sum of $83,000 paid by the State to the County for a building
permit fee for construction of the new prison.

2. A new $2.8 million State-funded regional juvenile detention center
at the location of the old prison unit creating 35 jobs.

3. The employment of approximately 200 construction workers during the
2-year building phase of the prison.

4. The use of local vendors during the construction process such as
McLeod-Feimster Hardware, Lowe¹s Foods, Sipe Lumber Company, and Rogers Mills.

5. A gift from the State of 25 acres located behind the new juvenile
detention center at the intersection of Highway 16 South and Highway 64 Bypass across from Wal-Mart worth about $1.1 million for future County use.

6. An increase in local sales tax revenues from the $18 million annual
operational costs of the prison (which is mostly payroll) in the purchase of local products and services from local businesses by the prison and prison employees.

7. An increase in the local property tax base from businesses being
built along Highway 16 South due, at least in part, to the location of the prison such as Bojangle¹s, Wendy¹s, the Coffee House, the State Employees¹ Credit Union, and Catawba Valley Medical Center's Family Medicine Associates.

8. Benefits to the Town of Taylorsville from double sewer rates
received from the prison with the future possibility of annexing the prison adding the 1,000 inmates as ³citizens² for Census purposes (even though the prisoners cannot vote and would not receive any Town services) thereby increasing substantially the Federal and State revenue-sharing funds the Town would receive.

9. An annual savings to the County of a minimum of $50,000 in meals
supplied to inmates in the County jail.

10. The creation of between 420-460 good-paying, recession-proof jobs with State benefits at the prison with the prospect of another 300-500 jobs in the future at no additional expense to the County when a prison hospital is constructed within the next 5 years.

Commissioner Harbinson also mentioned that Michele Hoyman, Ph.D, a Political Science Professor from UNC Chapel Hill, had completed a study of State prisons and their location over the last 20 years. Her report included the following information:

³North Carolina has used its need for increased prison capacity to help facilitate economic growth in poor, rural communities. The feared stigmas associated with the flourishing of ³prison towns² have not materialized, nor has the oft-cited concerns of increased crime, lowered property value, and overall decrease in quality of life. Why have the counties with prisons tended to view them as economic development trophies? The main reason rests in the associated jobs. The prison sitings in recent years have tended to go to counties without many other economic development opportunities. These communities have found a vehicle for economic stability that provides countywide benefits in the form of employment opportunities and a steady consumption of local goods and services. While no two locales will report exactly the same results of having a prison in its community, some general
observations can be drawn based on NC data. Based on contextual case study
information and economic trend data, it appears prisons have been and continue to contribute positively to the economic status of rural NC communities that pursue this vehicle as an economic development strategy.²

Commissioner Harbinson stated that Alexander County almost didn¹t get a prison in 2001; however, he explained that a group of people went to Raleigh to lobby the NC Department of Correction, the General Assembly, and the Governor¹s Office for the prison. Commissioner Harbinson stated that the group pointed out to individuals in these offices the economic impact that the prison would have in Alexander County and the fact that it would create many jobs. Commissioner Harbinson noted that staff soon learned after the trip that Alexander County would be included in the 3 counties to receive a State prison.

Commissioner Harbinson stated that he wished to recognize those individuals who went on the trip to Raleigh to convey his appreciation for their part in helping to establish the Alexander Correctional Institution. Commissioner Harbinson, at his own expense, presented Keys to the County to the following
individuals:

Glenn Fox, Chamber of Commerce Vice-Chairman, stated that, being a lifelong resident of Alexander County, he had always been concerned with economic growth and job opportunities. Mr. Fox felt that Alexander County was often overlooked by the legislature in Raleigh since it was one of the smallest counties in the State; however, he noted that the Alexander Correctional Institution would be a lasting investment for employment and economic development. Mr. Fox stated that on a recent tour of the prison facility, a correctional officer told him that many citizens didn¹t realize what an economic boost the prison would be for the County. Mr. Fox stated that he was proud of the facility and felt that any fears of security would soon be alleviated.

Keith Hertzler, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, stated that he and the Chamber of Commerce had greatly supported the prison because of the many jobs it would provide the County. Mr. Hertzler stated that during a tour he had taken of the facility on March 2, 2004, many guards shook his hand and thanked him for their jobs. Mr. Hertzler noted that money would be spent in Alexander County due to the prison and he also felt that the fears of security would fade away with time.

Ronnie Robinette, Town Commissioner, stated that he had 2 separate interests in getting a new prison when discussions began; one as a Town commissioner and the other as a Department of Correction employee. Mr. Robinette stated that Town officials quickly saw the economic benefits of having this facility and he accepted the Key to the County in honor of all the citizens, rich and poor, young and old, that fought to get the prison built in Alexander County. Mr. Robinette stated that he hoped the new prison would be as good of a neighbor as the old prison was.

Ben Hines, Register of Deeds, stated that when he was asked to take the trip to Raleigh to lobby for the new prison, he had just been to the Waldorf plant that had been closed and had noticed the grass growing in the parking lot. Mr. Hines stated that he felt that many citizens would have jobs if the County received a new prison, which meant that there would be a parking lot with no grass growing in it. Mr. Hines stated that once in a while a window of opportunity comes along and he felt that the invitation to take the trip to Raleigh was no exception. Mr. Hines stated that he and the others met with Representative Aaron Plyler as well as other State Representatives and officials from the Governor¹s Office for which he was honored to be apart of. Mr. Hines also conveyed his appreciation for being allowed to take part in the groundbreaking ceremony in November 2001.

Seth Chapman, Clerk of Court, was not able to attend the meeting. Commissioner Harbinson explained that Mr. Chapman was involved in a murder trial at the Courthouse and he noted that he would accept the Key to the County on Mr. Chapman¹s behalf.

Ray Warren, former Sheriff of Alexander County, stated that he felt a new prison was a good opportunity for the County from day one. Mr. Warren mentioned that his friend Senator Fountain Odom worked diligently with County officials to get a prison worked into the budget for Alexander County; however, many ups and downs would follow. Mr. Warren conveyed his appreciation to all those who went on the trip to Raleigh as well as all State and County officials and citizens that made the prison possible. Mr. Warren felt that the prison would be a provider of jobs and economic growth for Alexander County.

Commissioner Harbinson informed the Board and audience that Mr. Warren was the most instrumental person in making the prison a reality. Commissioner Harbinson explained that approximately 10 years ago, Mr. Warren traveled to Raleigh as soon as he received word that the former prison would be closing in order to get Alexander County on the list for a new correctional facility. Commissioner Harbinson also thanked Mr. Warren for his part in getting the State to deed 25 acres of property, worth $1.1 million, behind the old prison to the County.

John Watts, former County Commissioner, stated that the responsibility of an elected official was to determine how consequences of actions taken would affect the citizens 10, 15, or 20 years in the future. Mr. Watts felt that vision was what made a good leader and he noted that he, David Odom, and Joel Harbinson had a vision of a new state prison in Alexander County. Mr. Watts felt that the new prison would be an economic engine for the County, creating many new jobs for Alexander County residents. Mr. Watts also noted that those initially opposed to the prison had adapted the philosophy to make the best of the new facility and he felt that the prison and the CVCC / Alexander Center was the most important projects that took place during his tenure as commissioner.

David Odom, Town Manager and former County Commissioner, thanked the Governor, State legislature, and the citizens of the County for their investment in the prison facility. Mr. Odom spoke on the bonds of brotherhood and stated that the first bond was his family support. He stated that his parents, brothers, wife, and friends supported him and stood behind his decisions, which played a large role in his ability to stand firm on commitments made as an elected official. However, Mr. Odom stated that the irony of the situation was that his brother, who was employed with the Department of Correction for over 21 years, would unfortunately not be employed with the new prison. Mr. Odom stated that the second bond of brotherhood was the bipartisan leadership that was in place during discussions of obtaining a new prison. Mr. Odom mentioned that 5 men including himself, John Watts, Joel Harbinson, Darrell Robertson, and Wes Bolick, had the opportunity to debate the merits of spending $1.3 million for property to deed to the State for the new prison facility. He stated that the expenditure came down to finance and placement only, even though some saw the debates as political feuds. Mr. Odom stated that that the County could¹ve had a substantial tax cut that year if the property for the prison had not been purchased, which was why Commissioners Bolick and Robertson took the position they did in not voting in favor of the prison; however, he noted that he, Mr. Watts, and Mr. Harbinson felt that a prison would benefit the County economically and surpass the $1.3 million invested. Mr. Odom stated that Commissioners Bolick and Robertson took into consideration that citizens were afraid to have a high-security prison in
their back yard. He stated that he respected the position that
Commissioners Bolick and Robertson took because they were simply against spending local funds for a State project. Mr. Odom pointed out that Commissioner Bolick said in the final hearing for the prison that he was against the prison, but if a prison was to come to Alexander County, he hoped it was the best it could be. Mr. Odom stated that the new prison was the most modern prison and the largest expenditure of State funds for economic development in western NC. Mr. Odom stated that the third bond of brotherhood was the friendship gained between himself, Mr. Watts, and Mr. Harbinson and the decision they made to strive for better education and the chance to give their children better opportunities than they had. He felt that additional classrooms, higher quality teachers, an auditorium, and the prison would provide those opportunities. Mr. Odom challenged the citizens to strive to leave the County in better shape than they found it for their children and grandchildren to enjoy. Mr. Odom thanked the Town and County agencies that worked together on the prison and he noted that progress came at a cost but that it waited on nobody.

Commissioner Harbinson also presented Keys to the County to David Icenhour, Human Resources / Economic Development Director, and County Manager Rick French who also went on the trip to Raleigh.

Commissioner Harbinson discussed an article he viewed on the Internet recently in regard to Caldwell County Commission¹s recent trip to Raleigh to lobby for a prison. Commissioner Harbinson also stated that Wilkes County had visited the Alexander Correctional Institution and he noted that Burke County was trying to get a prison as well as Iredell County.

Commissioner Bolick stated that during the initial conversation about obtaining a State prison, he was aware that many people had fears about a prison being in the County. Commissioner Bolick stated that because of this, he visited several prisons and actually went to people¹s homes to talk to them about the fear factor. Commissioner Bolick stated that his concern was spending $1.3 million for property that would be given to the State; however, he noted that he did, in fact, say that if a prison was to come to Alexander County, he hoped that it would be the best. Commissioner Bolick stated that he now felt that this prison would be the best, especially with
the work of Forgiven Ministries which he was involved in. Commissioner
Bolick explained that Forgiven Ministries was a Christian organization that worked with the prison to allow inmates to spend quality time with their children, sometimes on retreats away from prison walls.

Commissioner Harbinson encouraged the citizens of the County to take part in a tour of the prison this weekend. Commissioner Harbinson stated that tours would be held on Saturday, March 20, 2004 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and on Sunday, March 21, 2004 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.