November 23, 2009
Monday PM

Why not take the approach that the city of Seward took? When they needed to create sustainable income and job opportunities, they floated a bond and built a prison that was then leased to the State of Alaska. A prison with between 300 - 500 beds would create many opportunities for jobs as Correctional Officers, Medical Providers (Mental Health, Dental, Medical, etc.), Administrative staff, Maintenance personnel, and would also create more jobs in the community through increased demand for Food supplies, Office supplies, Mechanical Materials, Clothing vendors, etc.

The City and Borough have allowed monies to run through their fingers so to speak with regard to this property, why not change course and create something that would create positive long-term revenue and jobs for our fine city?

Many families have family members which are currently incarcerated in other facilities outside Ketchikan, with some even being housed out of state. A larger prison located in Ketchikan would allow for those family members to remain where their family support base is located, it would create opportunities for half-way houses to be formed in Ketchikan, and it would create a prisoner population great enough that correctional industry and training programs would be able to be implemented. This would benefit Ketchikan, because those persons released back into the community would now have employable skills that they learned while incarcerated.

Marina Keirn
Ketchikan, AK

About: " I am a long term resident of Ketchikan, and I would like to see our fine city have long term income and increase jobs. In this economy... We need it! "

Received November 22, 2009 - Published November 23, 2009

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