Minimum Security Prison Proposed for Prescott Valley (Phoenix, Scottsdale: insurance, hotels)

[and the]

Some people are not thinking how good this will be on motels/hotels, retailers and restaurants. Some of you are only seeing the "inmate" aspect of this all. What about the families that come to see their friends and loved ones from afar. . . they need lodging

Nothing personal, but the people who come to visit relatives and friends in prison are GENERALLY not the kind of people you want to attract. Think "Jerry Springer". Before anyone gets defensive, I DID say "generally". Watch the PBS show, "Prisontown USA".

[JeepGirl118]

Originally Posted by and the

Nothing personal, but the people who come to visit relatives and friends in prison are GENERALLY not the kind of people you want to attract. Think "Jerry Springer". Before anyone gets defensive, I DID say "generally". Watch the PBS show, "Prisontown USA".

Have you been inside a prison visiting area to accurately determine this first-hand or do you believe everything that you see on TV? My husband and I have seen over the years as we've visited our friend all over the state at different institutions and we have have to see anything or anyone who is "Jerry Springer-like." Generally speaking, you are quite incorrect.

[JeepGirl118]

Originally Posted by Gretchen B

Jeep Girl - I hear what you are saying. And that would normally be true. But Prescott/Prescott Valley are tourist destinations already and our motels are always booked, most times weeks in advance. Same with our restauarants. One almost always has to wait to get a table. So what would normally be a good thing will actually be a negative, because tourists with money to spend won't be able to get a room and will most likely head to another destination such as Flagstaff or the White Mtns.

The things about that is, Gretchen, no one can tell "an inmate's loved one" from a regular tourist by sight alone. No one would ever pinpoint my husband and I as the type that you would ever see visiting a friend in prison - and there are many more people decent Professionals just like us. Heck, they are probably reading this right now and are just not speaking up. This will encourage more restaurants and hotels/motels to be built - owners (and new owners) will see dollar signs in their eyes and they will jump right into it. PV is gorgeous up there - you know as well as I do that there is no comparison of PV to the White Mountains or Flagstaff and people will stay with PV. Many people are hesitant to try new menu items at restaurants. much less change what has become tradition in their lives over the years. People dislike change - and this thread is a perfect example of that. The new growth is actually a positive asset to the town. My Jeep and I love PV, however, what discourages us the most from going up there more often is that there is "not much to do" except the occasional weekend craft show - which we've done - as have many others here in Phoenix, it just gets old. This is really a blessing in disguise. A business is a business is a business - and yes, a prison is a business.

Some people need not be concerned with prisoners - should be more concerned with those who are still out here wandering around and have not been caught. People should be more concerned with what sort of rehabilitative programs that prison will have (drug rehabilitative programs, career and parenting programs, etc.) and take part of it for the enforcement as a part of the community. Have strong religious or spiritual beliefs? Spread the word of God and get into that prison and help teach on weekends for their Bible Study. Why? Because all of that is the humane thing to do. Love thy neighbor. A community without a heart is not a community at all.

[Gretchen B]

Jeep Girl - I just want you to know that I did not start this thread to discuss the social benefits of a prison coming to town. There are many who have friends and relatives that are serving time for a number of various reasons. I think we've all either had friends, relatives, or have friends with someone in their family serving time. Oftentimes, it's just a "kid" (as in a young adult) who just makes a bad decision and ends up in prison. And the friends and relatives that come to visit them are no better or worse than anybody else.

I am wanting input on the "new prison" from a TOTALLY ECONOMIC standpoint and whether it makes good sense for PRESCOTT VALLEY to put the prison in AT THIS TIME. I was looking for input, just like you gave in your original post - that you feel that it would be economically beneficial to community from the standpoint of additional visitors to the community on the weekend. And you're right, it may mean that more hotels and restaurants are built as a result. That could be a good thing. However, I also wonder about those same hotels and retaurants being able to hire help, because many of those employees may opt to work at the prison. I wouldn't blame them, $15/hr would probably be more than what they'd make working as a maid in a hotel.

I would love to get some more comments about the positive economic aspects to this particular community. While a prison may bring some economic benefits to a small town like Kingman, I'm still questioning the long term economic benefit to a community that's already one of the fastest growing towns in the country, and that's an up-and-coming relocation destination and tourist destination.

[JeepGirl118]

Social benefits are not being discussed - only pointed out. It all comes down to the towns economy, which is being discussed.

I say it's a 50% reality of the actual concern itself for those that will want to go work at the prison, however, working in a prison is not an easy feat. It's emotionally and physically tolling. To work in a prison, CO's need to have felony-free backgrounds - which not everyone has - that would be the 50% I speak of that do ...and do not. Quite a few, if accepted for clearance to work in the prison have to go through the few weeks at the training academy and will get the actual job if they make it through that - and then their probation period with the prison. So it's not really a job that any old Joe can get as opposed to a job in a restaurant or a hotel/motel. Just as not every person qualifies to become a Law Enforcement Officer. People will drive 50+ miles to their position in the prison. State employees will not only be from PV. I called my cousin who works in Marana Prison almost a couple hours south of here on his thoughts - he said he would love to put in a transfer to PV from where he is at now at Marana (he drives from Phoenix down there 5 days a week). They'll have staffing consisting of both older employees and new. For an average inmate population of 1700, you will have approx 350 employees. The Real Estate market just might even pick up in PV. Those who are currently selling their home now and have been waiting. . this just may be your ticket that you have been praying for. A surge of families will be moving in soon. With the prison, that is a guarantee. Local companies to provide sales to the prison - (linens, detergents, industrial and residential washers and dryers, uniforms, FOOD, canteen, vending products, picnic benches, landscaping, roofers, plumbers, electricians, flooring companies, fixture companies, concrete companies - etc.) - will have MUCH more business than they do now. Think of EVERYONE involved on a daily basis outside of prison workers.

PV is strong enough to continue growing and this actually gives it a fair chance to be amazing one day, But only the people of PV have that true power to make it or break it - the prison will have nothing to do with it at all - no town is on auto pilot. It's about seizing opportunity at its earliest stages and not solely depending on tourists or those who have vacation homes there.

[and the]

Have you been inside a prison visiting area to accurately determine this first-hand or do you believe everything that you see on TV? My husband and I have seen over the years as we've visited our friend all over the state at different institutions and we have have to see anything or anyone who is "Jerry Springer-like." Generally speaking, you are quite incorrect.

Well, maybe living in a prison town is for you then. I know it's not for me. I've been to state prisons from Level I to Level IV for work and school and lower level Federal Prisons to visit a friend of mine. Also various county jails. I think I have a pretty good idea of what it takes to get sent to a state prison these days, and a pretty good idea of what kind of family background many, many convicts come from. With the overcrowding situation, you don't do time in a state prison for shoplifting or dope violations in personal use amounts anymore unless you have multiple convictions.

I would never move to a "Prisontown".

[and the]

Again, it's not easy to get sent to prison these days. Go to the AZ Dept. of Corrections website here:
ADC Inmate Datasearch
Put in a common name like "Smith" and see what they're in for.

[and the]

Here's a guy who's in a minimum security facility for "only" Burglary. That's no big deal is it? Breaking into a dwelling with the intent to commit a felony therein? And check out his disciplinary record while in prison. Why is this guy in a minimum security facility?

Commitment Information 1 record(s)
Commit# Sentence Sentence County Court Cause# Offense Date Sentence Status Crime Crime Info Felony Class Ruling Verified
A01 002/00/00 MARICOPA 20061437870 07/22/2006 IMPOSED [1]:BURGLARY 3RD DEGREE ND/NR CL4 Y YES

Sentence Information 1 record(s)
Commit# Sentence yyymmdd Admit Date Consec/ Concur Release Date(s) Supervision End Sentence Expiration Flat Maximum
A01 002/00/00 04/24/2007 Supervised:05/04/2008 11/02/2008 08/02/2008 10/28/2008

Profile Classification 1 record(s) [info]
Complete Date Class. Type Next Review Custody Risk Internal Risk Edu. Voc. Alc/ Drug Res.
05/02/2007 INITIAL CLASSIFICATION 04/30/2008 2 2 3 4 4

Disciplinary Infractions 7 record(s) [info]
Violation Date Infraction Verdict Date Verdict
07/11/2007 DISOBEYING ORDER 07/17/2007 GUILTY-MIN.VIOL
07/10/2007 DISOBEYING ORDER 07/17/2007 GUILTY-MIN.VIOL
06/27/2007 DISOBEYING ORDER 07/03/2007 GUILTY-MIN.VIOL
06/19/2007 REFUSAL TO WORK 06/25/2007 GUILTY-MIN.VIOL
06/17/2007 REFUSAL TO WORK 06/25/2007 GUILTY-MIN.VIOL
06/07/2007 DISOBEYING ORDER 06/12/2007 GUILTY-MIN.VIOL
05/30/2007 DRUG POS/MFG ETC 06/12/2007 GUILTY-MAJ.VIOL

Parole Action 0 record(s)

Here's another minimum security prisoner. Multiple counts of Aggravated assault and running from the cops. Coming to a prison near you:

A02 004/00/00 NAVAJO 2005-718 12/03/2005 IMPOSED [1]:AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ND/NR CL3 N YES
A03 004/00/00 NAVAJO 2005-718 12/03/2005 IMPOSED [1]:AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ND/NR CL3 N YES
A04 004/00/00 NAVAJO 2005-718 12/03/2005 IMPOSED [1]:AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ND/NR CL3 Y YES
A06 002/00/00 NAVAJO 2005-718 12/03/2005 IMPOSED [1]:CRIMINAL DAMAGE ND/NR CL5 N YES
B01 003/00/00 NAVAJO 2006-852 06/02/2006 IMPOSED [1]:AGGRAVATED DUI ND/NR CL4 N YES
B03 002/00/00 NAVAJO 2006-852 06/02/2006 IMPOSED [1]:FLIGHT FROM LAW VEHICLE ND/NR CL5 N YES
B04 001/06/00 NAVAJO 2006-852 06/02/2006 IMPOSED [1]:CRIMINAL DAMAGE ND/NR CL6 N YES
B05 001/06/00 NAVAJO 2006-852 06/02/2006 IMPOSED [1]:CRIMINAL DAMAGE ND/NR CL5 N YES

Amazing how many burglars are in minimum security status. What does "danger" mean?

G01 004/06/00 MARICOPA 20030126570 04/17/2003 SENT.MOD [1]:BURGLARY 3RD DEGREE [2]DANGER/ REPETIT/ ENHANCE ND/R1 CL4 Y YES

What do most burglars do in prison? Learn how to be better burglars. What do they do when they get out? Burgle some more.....

54,660 Arizona inmates released over the period 1990-1999 were followed for return to ADC custody.

42.4% returned to custody within 3 years of release (return to custody rate).

24.5% returned to custody with a new felony conviction within 3 years of release (recommitment rate).

7.9% returned to custody with a new felony conviction for a violent crime within 3 years of release.

Approximately 80% of inmates who return to custody (ever) will do so in the first three years.

Approximately 50% of inmates who will be recommitted for a new offense (ever) will be recommitted in the first three years.

Among males, the return to custody rate was 43.2% and the recommitment rate was 25.6%.

Among females, the return to custody rate was 35.9% and the recommitment rate was 16.0%.

Rehabilitation program involvement was found to reduce recidivism by 25% after two years of release.

2,171 fewer inmates were recommitted within two years of release as a result of rehabilitation programming.

Please don't sell your town down the road for "forty pieces of silver".

[Gretchen B]

Jeep Girl - Thanks for your input and first hand knowledge about the employment there in Maran, etc. I wish the paper would print more info such as what you have provided. I have a couple of questions for you, if I may ask: First of all, I'm curious as to why your cousin chooses to commute 5 hrs to Marana vs live there. Does it really pay him to do that? Do you think he really would consider buying up here in PV if this prison goes in? The PV home prices are a little higher than Phoenix, depending on which part of Phx. As you know, that's one of my concerns is that people who transfer to work at the prison won't be able to afford housing here. I do see the prison as offering some nice 2nd incomes for families, though. But then my concern is that other industries, such as manufacturing, etc, won't want to come in here because they'll have to compete with the prison for their labor force. Am I wrong on that? (Please don't hesitate to set me straight - I can take it.)

To And The - yes, I did read through the PBS summary, as well as do some other online research. An editorial in our newspaper points to another souce that paints a rather bleak picture about the economic development of prison towns: "The Role of Prisons In Rural Development - Do They Contribute to Local Economies"

I'm trying to keep an open mind at this point, and Jeep Girl has made some valid arguments for looking on the bright side. I just know that in rural towns in the Midwest, a prison coming in was always touted as "good for the economy", "providing employment", and while it did provide employment in some of those economically depressed locations, I really did not see any growth in the community that wasn't directly related to the prison itself (i.e. no new motels, no new restaurants, no new businesses). One town I know of did add one motel and one restaurant, but this town sits on I-70, so I think that may have had more to do with it than anything else. And I have a friend that works at that prison. As far as the town, though, it's really about the same, with some stores closing down (but that's typical for these farm towns).

[Gretchen B]

PS - If Prescott Valley wants to consider the prison for noble reasons, that's one thing . . . but I hate to see some people that stand to profit from the sale of the land, etc, SELL the community on this prison as "good for the economy" unless they can show that it truly will be, and that it won't hinder more diverse industries/businesses from relocating here. If someone can show me some statistics or a good example of how a prison actually helped their community economically (especially a community of similar size and economic stature of PV), I'm willing to listen. So far all I've seen are economically depressed areas where there has been some growth after a number of years, mostly because the home and land prices are so low that a few saavy developers have decided the time is right to capitalize on cheap housing. Either that, or a metro area like Tucson or Phoenix, where the prison was built out a ways, and now the cities are growing up around them.