The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

The medium-security facility would be for inmates in the final two years of their sentences and would serve as a rehabilitation program.

Dallas-based Corrections Concepts Inc., which plans to submit a proposal to run the proposed prison, said construction could create 200 jobs and the prison would need 250 workers once it is operational.

Bill Robinson, chairman of the Corrections Concepts board, said inmates could hold to whatever beliefs they wish.

"Every prisoner ... must sign an agreement to come -- it's voluntary," Robinson said in a story in Friday's San Angelo Standard-Times. "It's a faith-based facility, but their worship preferences will be respected."

Corrections Concept's mission statement says it will use Christian principles to help inmates prepare for the outside world and makes no mention of evangelization or Christianity.

Such language must be carefully couched to avoid running afoul of the law, Jeremy Leaming, a spokesman for Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, a Washington-based advocacy group, told the newspaper. "Until it's in operation, they can describe it in any way they want to describe it -- the safest possible way. They have to be careful in the way they set it up."

Robinson said accountability is emphasized. Inmates would work in the prison and earn money, some of which would go for victim restitution and the cost of their housing.

County Judge Mike Brown said Jack Sheety, the county's attorney, said in a written opinion that the prison wouldn't violate the First Amendment.

Commissioner Steve Floyd said the county could receive $1.75 per day for housing inmates. States with inmates in the prison would pay part of their board. Other money would be saved for when the inmate leaves prison.

The county is waiting for the state attorney general to review the legality of the creation of the corporation.

The newspaper said at least 10 area counties have passed resolutions in support of the prison for economic reasons.

The corporation was created on a 3-1 vote.

Commissioner Richard Easingwood said the state of Texas is reluctant to use the proposed facility because of its unusual approach.

Easingwood voted against Thursday's proposal because he said he would have preferred to see the city of San Angelo building the prison.

"I think the city could have had better control over it. The city has the capability to handle it better than we do," he said.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3124392