Pubdate: Sat, 25 Feb 2006
Source: Muscatine Journal (IA)
Copyright: 2006 The Muscatine Journal
Contact:  http://www.muscatinejournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3667

IOWA DOESN'T NEED NEW STATE PRISON

Gov. Tom Vilsack and some other political leaders wanted the state to 
build a new maximum security prison in Fort Madison to replace the 
old one. They argue that a new facility is justified, in part because 
of the security and other problems that drew national attention when 
two inmates escaped in November.

This week, however, an Iowa legislative committee that oversees the 
operating budget for the state corrections department said there's no 
money to build a new prison, which would cost an estimated $80 million.

The committee's decision appears to kill the proposal, at least for this year.

Good.

We think it's a mistake to rush into building a new prison after one 
high-profile incident.  Swift, knee-jerk responses do not serve the 
long-term interest of this state's residents and taxpayers.

Yes, there were some problems at the prison that needed fixing. It is 
an aging facility that undoubtedly will have to be replaced some day.

But even Gary Maynard, the Department of Corrections director who had 
recommended building a new prison, acknowledged this week that his 
department can effectively operate the Fort Madison facility by 
making some physical changes and repairs and improving security procedures.

Meanwhile, the bigger problem is the number of people going to 
prison. The state's inmate population has hovered around the total 
prison capacity for several years, and already has forced 
construction of more prison space, such as the facility in Fort Dodge.

The root of this problem lies elsewhere. You can blame increased drug 
and alcohol addiction, more single-parent families, too many 
biological fathers who don't parent or stay committed to their 
spouses, or Iowa's status as having one of the nation's highest rates 
of families with both parents employed full-time outside of the home 
take your pick or choose several.

It's evidenced by troubling statistics, such as one of every four 
black men in Iowa has been convicted of a felony. Or the rising 
number of families devastated by methamphetamine addiction over the 
past decade. Or, a state that is increasingly addicted to gambling as 
entertainment and tax revenue.

Iowa leaders and our communities, our neighborhoods, should put the 
focus on education, prevention and treatment.

And, if necessary, throw an additional $80 million toward those kinds 
of initiatives rather than just build another prison to fill up with 
more prisoners. After all, what will cost Iowans more in the long run?