The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

WHEREAS the existing La Salle County Regional Detention Facility, which houses detainees for the US Marshals Service and is located less than a mile outside of Encinal city limits, was undertaken by the County of La Salle and private interests without input from Encinal city officials and without response to Encinal community member concerns;

WHEREAS the study published in Social Science Quarterly in March 2004, "The Prison Industry: Carceral Expansion and Employment in U.S. Counties, 1969-1994." (Greg Hooks, et al.) shows that small, rural communities such as Encinal, contrary to popular belief, do not see long-term economic benefit from prison projects;

WHEREAS the existing La Salle County Regional Detention Facility has failed to provide any demonstrative positive economic impact to the City of Encinal;

WHEREAS the recent addition of the La Salle County Regional Detention Center to the water/sewer system of the Encinal Water Supply Corporation, which provides water and sewer services to the community of Encinal, has left insufficient water/sewer infrastructure to support additional businesses and residences without considerable expense (estimated at over $4 million);

WHEREAS the City of Encinal has a population of 629 (US Census, 2000) and the creation of a large-scale detention facility, with a detained population (2,800) far greater than the town population will cast the image of Encinal as a prison town.

WHEREAS the Encinal Economic Development Corporation supports a diversified economy for the Encinal community and envisions a community that is not reliant on any one sector of the economy or any one industry;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Encinal Economic Development Corporation opposes the expansion of the existing La Salle County Regional Detention Facility or the creation of any other prison or detention facility in or near Encinal.

PASSED AND APPROVED this 22nd day of August, 2005.

SIGNED BY:
Donna Lednicky
Chairperson

ATTEST:

Joann Wells
Secretary