Changes in Store for St. Louis Prisons
With three prisons in St. Louis, two of them have been under the administration of one warden. In a cost saving measure, the state’s Department of Corrections is looking at combining a different two. Reported by the Morning Sun.
St. Louis Correctional Facility, a level 4 prison and Mid-Michigan Correctional Facility, a level 1, have been under the jurisdiction of one administration.
The state, however, thinks that combining Pine River Correctional Facility, which had been a level 1 and is now a level 2, with Mid-Michigan would be better.
“We haven’t finalized the consolidation,” said John Cordell, MDOC spokesman. “(The DOC) is facing a $46 million shortfall and we need to come up with ways to save money. Everything is on the table.”
Pine River and Mid-Michigan are separate facilities, although they are located near one another. Little change would likely be noticed by the inmates.
Combining those two prisons, however, might result in a cost savings since both are easier to manage and are more homogenous than a level 4 or a combination of a level 4 and a level 1.
General rules and operation are much different – much more stringent – at a level 4 than at a level 1 or 2.
However, it’s possible all three could be under the supervision of one warden and deputy wardens, Cordell said.
“We’re still crunching the numbers,” he said.
What is likely not on the table is the closure of any of the prisons in St. Louis.
“We don’t have the bed space to close any prison,” Cordell said.
A decision won’t be made for a few months yet, but one is expected before October, Cordell said.
“It’s premature to think about it,” said Pine River Correctional Facility Warden Tom Birkett. “Until we get the plan together we won’t know the money saved.”
Cordell said the state’s intent is to maintain staff, but he expects, “we’ll see some lay offs and transfers.”
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