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photo by Hannah Reel
Visitors tour the inmate segregation cell dormitory at the Adams County Correctional Center Tuesday during the open house.
Officials say prison is just the beginning for area
Published Wednesday, July 15, 2009
NATCHEZ — The cells are still empty and there’s still hiring left to do, but Tuesday Corrections Corporation of America hosted the official grand opening of the multi-million dollar Adams County Correctional Facility.
Community leaders, politicians and representatives from state agencies packed the facility’s gymnasium to hear from several guest speakers.
Mississippi Lt. Governor Phil Bryant, who began his career working in the Hinds County jail, recalled the dismal conditions of that facility in the 1970s.
“It was a very dark place,” Bryant said.
In contrast, Bryant said the new CCA facility, which cost $126 million to construct and will bring 400 new jobs to the area, is an enormous asset to Adams County and those who will reside in the facility.
“I’m glad to see the world has changed,” Bryant said.
And while CCA’s newest facility, the fourth in the state, represents the latest in inmate care, the new jobs the prison will bring to the area were the stars of Tuesday’s ceremony.
“This is important,” Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director Gray Swoope said. “This represents significant employment opportunities that can be built on.”
Swoope said while the jobs are important to the local economy, the economic momentum those jobs possess is even greater.
“We want to build on this,” he said. “This can be a center for commerce. We can have a ripple effect on Southwest Mississippi.”
But like Swoope and others noted, that potential cannot be utilized unless teamwork between county, city and state representatives is firmly in place.
“It took a tremendous amount of teamwork to get to here today,” Swoope said. “And it takes community support. This type of project does not come together on its own.”
But no matter how the facility got there, CCA representatives are just glad to see the project completed.
“This is a great day for CCA and a great day for Adams County,” Warden Vance Laughlin said.
CCA Chairman and CEO John Ferguson said the new facility is self-validating for the company.
“This shows we’re doing a pretty good job,” Ferguson said. “This company is great at what it does.”
And it won’t be long before the company begins housing some of its first inmates.
Laughlin said the first inmates will begin arriving in August and will continue filling the facility for the next six months.
Additionally, the facility will continue to hire the approximately 200 needed employees into December, Laughlin said.
The facility is also expected to pay $3 million in taxes and utilities.
Comments
Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah well with prisons and prisoners you also get prison groupies and prisoner's families.
Haley will have to start using your tax dollars to build more low income housing.
Posted by thetinman (Keith Reynolds) on July 15, 2009 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wonder where they are going to get the people to fill these positions? Seems they didn't want to take many people hear in the county that voted to have this prison built hear.
THERE POLICY!!! well time is going to tell all, when more locals will not get jobs there because of bad economical times. Because one may have fallen behind on a credit card or car note, like I have heard from locals in the past that tried to get a job there. HONEST PEOPLE overall, but just trying to get to where they can get caught up and move ahead forwardly, HONESTLY!!!!
CCA, we voted you into our community, if you do not take a chance on GOOD HONEST PEOPLE here in Adams County that has fallen on hard times, I say, we as Adams County Residents, see if we can vote you out!!!
GOD Bless America and Remember JESUS CHRIST is coming soon
Posted by Bethie58 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Amen Mr. Reynolds, my husband was refused an interview because of bad credit. How can you ever repair your credit if you can't get a job.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm retiring and looking for a smaller place. I would seriously consider commiting a crime so I could get one of these nice rooms but the judges around here would only give me probation or a few days in the can. I'd have to do something really bad for an Adams County judge to put me in jail. Darn Darn Dagnabbit DooDoo. A fellow can't get a break.
Posted by joker980 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I applied and made it past the criminal and phsycological evaluations. But when time came to go to the personal interview I received notice that due to my credit the interview could not take place. I reviewed my credit and the only blemishes were a 50 dollar E R bill that insurance missed which has been paid, and a old cell phone bill which has long been settled. I cant understand why I have always been able to make large purchases at low rates because I have an above average credit score(pay on time everytime), yet couldnt even make it to the interview for a job at a prison due to credit (lol). However I dont argue their position on this. It is their company and their choice of whom they select. Besides I need more time to polish up on my spanish anyway.
Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JESUS CHRIST is coming soon
Look busy!
Posted by 2of4 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You should not find groupies nor family visiting these inmates. They are illegals whose family members are not in our country. How can you truly complain when we will have additional tax revenue and payroll dollars in our community for 400 people that we did not have before. Even if some of the 400 had jobs already, they left openings from a previous job to accept this one. Be thankful for something.
Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When they can't make enough money on warehousing illegals then are they going to close the prison? Heck no. They are going to start warehousing other criminals.
The increase in revenue to the local economy is going to be offset by the increase of people who are related in some form to the prisoners and using social welfare programs and themselves causing crimes. This scenario has played out time after time all over the country.
Prisons do not house nice people. And not-s-nice-people don't associate with nice people...
Think about it.
Posted by tiredoflosers (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
People with crappy credit tend to be more willing to be bribed acording to their research. Banks won't hire low scores either. Some apts will turn you down also.
Posted by cchat123 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Credit Rating
That is just an absoulte silly reason to deny a person
a job.
So, I got good credit and if I bull-mess my way through the psychological test and ingest something to alter my drug test prior to drug screening and get my parole officer to write me a recommendation for my criminal background...you will give me a job even though my work ethic is full of crap, I have poor skill performances and zero people skills....I am a shoe in.
No wonder good people sometimes result to bad behavior..they are tired of the getting kick in the shin.
Posted by tiredoflosers (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't forget cchat123 it is called affirmitive action. You get a job because of skin not skill.
Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
@ cchat: with all the you site, you think the psychological testing won't trip you up? guess again.
Posted by RAVENNEVERMORE (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is there some reason why all the moaners and groaners around here don't just get a degree from some college and earn themselves a good job?
My credit history is deplorable, but I still have a credit card, a debit card, etc....Every single interview that I've had since I graduated college way back in 1987 has resulted in a job offer (If I think about it, that comes to about 26 interviews in 20 years.)
It is so easy to get a college degree---especially, here in Mississippi where the standards are relatively low academically.
There are grants available (you don't have to pay them back).
There are Stafford loans available.
There is virtually no competition for any of these academic loans or even admissions to college.
And with Obama, even more money is available to get a degree.
"I jes' don't understand it. I sure do don't."
Posted by sasha (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Natchezsouthside i think you are on to something. I think the illegal alien prisoner was just a way to get this prison approved.You will see changes in whos housed there just wait.Its all about money.Medium security can house more than just an illegal alien.The public may not know about these changes and if so who gets to vote on these changes.It happens all the time.I like to see jobs and revenue come to adams it helps.Just keep your open and you will see.
Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
yep. anyone who just thinks it is going to be simply illegals in the prison--well i have a few acres of waterfront property to sell you.
The local governments saw $$ signs and blindly signed on the dotted line. Typical.
Even Haley was smart enough to avoid showing up for this. He knows it is a polical loser once the public wakes up to this boondogle.
Posted by barbarj1 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Negative, negative, negative---people from this area will be hired. As a matter of fact a kid that was born, raised and educated right here in Natchez has been hired and is going to make in the three figures with benefits. This child did leave Natchez to get a college education but she wanted to be with her parents so they could be a part of her family`s life. Isn`t that what every parent wants. One step at a time and Natchez will recover. It didn`t fall overnight and it will take time to come back.
Posted by brock (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You didn't miss much by being denied a job with CCA because of your so-called bad credit . I worked at a Federal prison in Kansas years ago and got fed up with the stress related with it . I got fed up and took on another skill in cross-country truck driving . Far less stress and easily doubles the pay . Point ! just like a previous poster said . Go back to school , get a good skill . Prison jobs require a special individual and the turnover rates are high . You'll probably get another shot anyway because of that fact . Prison work is a stress loaded environment and it will take it's toll on your health if it's not for you .
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Brock, I have to agree with you and working for a privatized prison, from what I have SEEN is much worse. Unlike the harsh conditions inmates in state run facilities encounter, prison SHOULD be a deterrent, these facilities are nothing more than dormitory styled clubs and even their solitary confinement is a joke. You will quickly find yourself resenting the fact that an inmate has air conditioned facilities where they are able to watch color televisions, listen to CD players, radios, etc, even in medium security. Sure, they can't just get up and go when they want, but many inmates don't mind that. The policies, overall favor the inmate, while the staff are nothing more than numbers themselves because private institutions definitely don't want law suits. Just like ANY profession, you have to be cut out for this work or you won't last. You have to overlook a LOT and the bureacracy and red tape can make you nausious!!!
Posted by mslugirl (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by barbarj1 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 11:42 a.m:
As a matter of fact a kid that was born, raised and educated right here in Natchez has been hired and is going to make in the three figures with benefits.
ONE KID!!!!!! How many more were turned away??
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just hope we don't wind up with terrorists from Guantanamo Bay .....
Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now Krogers why would you even make a statement like that? This isn't a SuperMax prison, is it? I mean com'on.
Posted by southernwoman (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Are home grown terrorists better?
Posted by tiredoflosers (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought they CCA paid more than three figuares. The dude makes what $999.00 a year? My car insurance is that!!!
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't wait till Natchez has had the benefit of a prison for a while and catches up with Woodville.
I went to Woodville a while back, enjoyed their waterpark, spent time at the Woodville Mall, and went to the symphony. Jobs, jobs jobs, a lot of employment makes everyone float to the top.
They have had a prison for a few years now, from this same company I think. And I am looking forward to Natchez looking more like Woodville very soon.
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Whoa, now that's a thought. Woodville has surpassed Natchez.
Posted by trulyblessed (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ravenevermore,
Having a degree is still no guarantee for a good job, at least not here in Natchez. I and several other people in this area have degrees and have been turned down for jobs we know we were qualified for. It is no longer about who you know, but who knows you.
Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you can't get a job here then looks like it is time to move to where you can get a job.
You can search nationally thanks to the Internet.
Posted by SayItRight (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They should have painted the rails and doors pink.
Posted by RAVENNEVERMORE (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If your current degree is ineffective, you must seek another degree that is specific to whatever occupations are in need in this area.
Healthcare: tons and tons of options, skills, careers right here in Natchez. Alcorn will welcome you with open arms.
Information Technology: systems management, web design/maint, etc. on and on it goes. Plenty of opportunities. Education needs IT, banks need IT, healthcare needs IT, all God's chillen' need IT....
Public Education: teaching jobs, administrative, IT...
There are others I could mention.
Obama, and Clinton before him, have been shouting it from the roof tops! You must be willing to educate or reeducate yourself!
Stop looking for reasons to fail.
If you KNOW how to draw blood in this town, there are five hospitals in the Miss-Lou who will hire you even if you are wanted by the FBI and just dropped into this town for the first time in your life from a hot-air balloon.
I give up, geesh....
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 8:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL! Ravenevermore makes good points. This is the time for "reinvention." If you can't go to college, not everyone will qualify for the maximum grants given for college students, I say take up a trade. Air conditioning and refrigeration workers are getting the mother load right now. True, you will be out in the sun and elements sometimes, but hey, it's good money. Medical billing and medical coding, pharmacy techs, all of these are good trade skills and are much NEEDED in certified retirement towns. These courses are also offered online further getting rid of the excuse I don't have time for class. I agree that if Natchez doesn't produce the jobs or salary your require, do like many of us did right after college, keep moving. Although I am not too far away from home, I knew for the kind of work and money I was looking for and qualified for, I had to leave home, unfortunately.
Posted by ladybuggs (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Did anyone hear anything about a man in fayette raping a 3 year old girl ;then later the child died?I pray to GOD this is only a rumor.
Posted by cchat123 (anonymous) on July 16, 2009 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I just love the way the residents in Natchez blog. Everyone is blogging a conversation and all of a sudden....someone throws in another topic and comments shifts.
Ladybug...is this your way of shifting dialogue when
consensus is not forthcoming?
How cool is that?
Posted by barbarj1 (anonymous) on July 16, 2009 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mslugirl---one step at a time and one child at a time. I am sure there are more than this one. I have one child that has a great job in Natchez and one that had to go out of town for work. I am just thankful they both have good jobs. They did have to get up and look for work but both were blessed for their effort.
Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on July 16, 2009 at 10:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It takes a private company to come in and build a nice, structurally sound multi-million dollar facility ($126 M) like this one that has all the amenities that many homeless would "kill" for to live in. A/C, TV, 3 hot meals a day, exercise equipment, computer use, books and mags to read, you name it, they will have it.....paid for (and maintained) mostly by middle class and lower middle class American tax payers. Maybe it will take a private company like CCA to come in and do the same for our education system. Build nice new schools and keep "order". How about reserving a wing of the new facility for those students who really don't want to be educated? You know, those who go to school only for the socialization (not education). City Hall should move in there also. The Mayor and the BOA should feel welcome to be housed there. And while I'm at it, why not go ahead and move some of the Judges in there also!!!
Posted by jvl401969 (anonymous) on July 20, 2009 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
4200+ applicants and 409 jobs. 3791 people are not going to be hired. Fortunately, many opportunities will be available in the future. Everyone who is not being hired can not say it is because they are late on a credit card. Again, its not good credit CCA is bound by, its unresolved bad debt. Besides that, the limits are very reasonable. I really wish people who do not know what they are talking about would quit fear mongering and trash talking. I cherish my 1st admendment rights, but I think the forefathers intended that to be based in truth or at least a substantiated belief system.
Posted by time4change (anonymous) on August 18, 2009 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you didn't get hired it's because God has another job in mind for you. Keep putting in applications.
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