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March 20, 2008
ID: House approves $70 million for maximum security prison for mentally ill prisoners
House approves funding to plan for mental health facility
The Associated Press, Edition Date: 03/18/08
Idaho Statesman
BOISE, Idaho ‹ The House has approved $3 million in funding to draw up plans for a maximum security facility for mentally ill prisoners and others in Idaho.
House lawmakers voted 66-4 Tuesday to begin planning for the estimated $70 million, 300-bed structure.
The building would house both mentally ill prisoners who need treatment as well as violent mentally ill people who have been found unfit to stand trial.The two populations would be kept separate and tended to by different state agencies.
The Joint Finance Appropriations Committee has recommended that the state issue bonds for the facility, which could open as soon as 2013.
The proposal will now move to the Senate.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/531/story/327100.html
Posted by lois at March 20, 2008 06:04 PM