MAYOR: "I'M NOT ANTI-PRISON, I'M NOT ANTI-GROWTH"

CALIFORNIA CITY -- Hot on the heels of intense scrutiny by residents about
Mayor Larry Adams' letter to the Planning Commission last week came this
disclaimer Tuesday night, "I'm not anti-prison, I'm not anti-growth."

The mayor made that comment during discussion of an informal report from
Economic Development Corp. President Jack Stewart to the City Council about
the state budget's effect on prison-building and the issues facing the city
as it contemplates approving more prison sites, including a state prison and
one or two small, private prisons.

Nashville-based Corrections Corporation of America is already building its
private prison on Virginia Boulevard, slated to open next summer and house
up to 3,000 inmates.

Stewart said the state still plans to build a 4,500-bed prison within city
limits, but the prison hasn't been funded. According to Stewart the state
also plans prisons for Delano, San Diego and Needles. Those also don't have
funding yet, he said.

In his letter to the Planning Commission, Mayor Adams said he thought the
City Council should reconsider approving the private prisons because of the
likely strain they pose to the city's infrastructure, especially the sewer
system. Planning Commissioner Paul Condon agreed and presented a lengthy
memo detailing his similar concerns.

Tuesday's discussion brought out a few lone voices to speak against the
city's efforts to bring at least one more prison here. Until now the
overwhelming majority of residents, city officials and business owners have
voiced nothing but anticipation for the economic development expected to
follow prison construction.

The city is already smacking its lips at the thought of new jobs, a
resurrected real estate market, a supermarket, more retail stores, maybe
even a fast-food place.

But at what price do we want these things, asked a few opponents of more
prisons.

"One prison is enough," said resident Al Guidet. "Otherwise, build a brick
fence around the city and change the name from California City to
Correctional City."

Councilman Harry Bailey, who has campaigned vigorously for a state prison,
was inclined to agree.

"I've made about 12 trips to Sacramento, begging for help to bring a state
prison here. But I didn't go up there to make this a prison city. One is
enough."

California City began its bid to become a state prison site in 1989. The
private prison is being built next to the site that would likely be used for
a state prison. Stewart said about 300 acres of Bureau of Land Management
land is under negotiation to be used by the state.

In defense of community correctional facilities, Management & Training Corp
- - Marketing Director Mike Murphy said his company's small prison would be
designed to work as a supplement to the state's prison system.

"We can offer the minimum security beds that are in short supply, and we
provide a rehabilitation program," said Murphy.

He said his company has already spent $30,000 on environmental reports for a
site on Neuralia Boulevard, and the company plans to proceed with its bid to
the state once the state releases its request for proposals, which won't
happen until the state budget is approved.

"Now's the time for the city to determine where it's going and how to get
there," said Stewart. "We have to figure out what is real and what is fantasy."


Checked-by: Melodi Cornett