« New Castle, IN: "Full Scale Riot" at GEO Prison | Main | IN: 6 Articles on Prison Riot in New Castle including background on prison transfers, GEO and New Castle »
April 24, 2007
Western MA: Opening for New Jail for Women Delayed. Sheriff to Seek 56 Additinal Cells.
" Lajoie said the sheriff's department continues to work with legislators to obtain additional bonding to build a 56-cell unit onto the new jail. He estimates that that project could cost between $7 million to $10 million."
Center Street jail opening delayed
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
By HOLLY ANGELO
hangelo@repub.com
CHICOPEE - The opening of the $26.1 million women's regional jail on Center Street, originally planned for this spring, will be delayed until late September.
"We have a delay in the delivery and installation of the electronic security system," said Lawrence V. Lajoie, assistant superintendent for the Hampden County Sheriff's Department, yesterday. "It is a big deal. This delay is very disappointing to us."
WFI of Delaware is the company in charge of the security system. Lajoie said he and others with the sheriff's department will meet with the company on Thursday to find out the reason for the delay.
The jail was scheduled to open in early June, Lajoie said. Construction on the 210-bed facility is finished and the permitting process for plumbing, elevators and other building operations is currently taking place, he said.
"If it was carpeting, we could live without it," said Patricia A. Murphy, the superintendent of the new facility. "Without the security system in place, we can't operate."
The doors, locks and cameras are among the operations controlled by the electronic security system.
"It's very specific," Lajoie said. "Every facility operates differently. It's a unique system."
Murphy said a transition team has been in place for the past year writing policy and procedures, scheduling training, ordering equipment and hiring staff.
"We had a plan in place for training staff and a moving plan. We'll still use that plan, but at a later date," Murphy said.
The jail will hold female prisoners from Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire and Franklin counties who are sentenced to terms of 2½ years or less. There will be special programs designed to help the female inmates deal with issues of addiction, domestic relationships, mental health and trauma, parenting and economics.
"It will allow us to deliver more treatment and programming. Having the space allows us to function as a full facility for women," Murphy said.
Lajoie said the sheriff's department continues to work with legislators to obtain additional bonding to build a 56-cell unit onto the new jail. He estimates that that project could cost between $7 million to $10 million.
http://www.masslive.com/chicopeeholyoke/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-1/117740677691960.xml&coll=1
Posted by lois at April 24, 2007 07:25 PM