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photo by Marcus Frazier
Welder Jeff Cleckler finishes a tack on security bars in B Building at Adams County Correctional Center. Building B will hold general population inmates.
CCA gets approval for federal inmates
Published Friday, April 25, 2008
NATCHEZ — When Bill 3175 became law Monday, it helped to secure jobs and economic prosperity for the future of Adams County.
The bill signed by Gov. Haley Barbour allows the Adams County Correctional Center, under construction by the Corrections Corporation of America, to house both federal and state inmates.
“This new facility is not only helping to fill a need for more prison beds but is also enhancing the economy of southwest Mississippi by providing at least 300 new full-time jobs,” Barbour said.
CCA marketing director Steve Owen said now that the facility has the OK to house federal inmates the prison can pursue contracts to house federal prisoners.
And those federal prisoners are meant to keep the prison running at maximum capacity.
“It improves our long-term viability,” he said. “It broadens our customer base.”
And that broadened customer base allows the prison to run at maximum capacity and provide steady employment for the community.
Adams County Supervisor Darryl Grennell said the bill could be looked at as a contract that allows jobs in the county.
“It makes no sense to have an empty facility,” he said.
Owen clarified the new CCA facility will not be a federal facility but will house federal inmates.
“It’s going to be CCA owned and operated,” he said.
Owen added that while the facility will house federal and state inmates the security level of inmates will remain the same.
“It’s capped at medium security,” he said.
And it won’t be long before the facility has an opportunity to house its first offenders.
Owen said the facility is still projected to open on schedule.
The facility, to house close to 1,700 inmates, is scheduled to be operational by Jan. 1.
Comments
Posted by natchez500 (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
GREAT MORE JOBS THIS IS A LOT MORE PRISONERS THAN WAS TOLD AT FIRST MORE PRISONERS EQUALS MORE GOOD PAYING JOBS
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 5:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm willing to be corrected, but I do believe medium security federal prisoners will tend to mean illegal aliens. Certainly not all, but many. The US seems to finally be cracking down on the issue more and more and they are needing places to warehouse them.
Posted by GodsChild (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's sad that we are at a point whereas we are opening up more and more prisons, and yet, closing down schools and have taking prayer out of the ones that are left open....
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 1:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Amend GodsChild!
Posted by SIOUXLADY (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ISN'T THERE ENOUGH CROOKS IN ADAMS COUNTY...........
Posted by ThornInYourSide (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe we should put prayer and the national athem in our prison systems. you know, the prisoners wake up at like 5:00 a.m. salute the flag, sing the national athem, say a prayer, then start their day. I wonder if we would have less people get out of prison and come right back then?
Posted by eagle (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No, federal inmates does not mean just illegal immigrants it just means they committed federal crimes. The LaSalle detention facility in Jena, Louisiana has which in the near future grow from approximately 400 beds to over 1100 beds houses only detainees waiting to be deported.
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on April 29, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, Jena, Woodville and Natchez all have big prisons.
I wonder if they select an area to build a prison based on the average IQ in the area. Or maybe someone figures these are really progressive, hoppin' places and we deserve the extra jobs, He,he!
Posted by Preacher (anonymous) on April 30, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Churches should pay close attention to these figures. The 300 employees will include many interested in a church home and they will need special care simply because of the tough job they do. The almost 1700 inmates will need someone to care enough to help them break the cycle of crime and punishment. If we want these inmates to re-enter society different than they when they went to prison, we need to help them develop job skills, and an attitude of personal worth and individual responsibility for their actions. Programs are available, but they will need volunteers. It is a difficult minstry, but we must be willing to help.
Posted by veroniss (anonymous) on May 6, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They dont have to worry about the new prison being empty,it will be full of the jailbirds from here in Natchez.Crime is out of control.My housewas broken into three years ago never never have I heard from anyone about it.Natchez police dept DID NOT DO THEIR JOB.look out natchez.I used to respect this city now I despise it.Cant wait till I get out of here.
Posted by need_employment (anonymous) on May 8, 2008 at 2:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think this is a wonderful opportunity for people like me who are seeking employment while at the same time, making a place for all of the people who are committing crimes. There are plenty of jails and prisons true enough, but there seems to be more criminals out there walking the streets. They may serve some time in jail, but then they get released because of not enough room in the jail. This way, there won't be any more excuses.... lock em up!!! If they did not want to be in jail, then they should not have commited their crime.
Does anyone know how to go about getting a job at the facility?
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