MORGAN COUNTY SELECTED FOR NEW PRISON
September 29, 2003
NASHVILLE, TENN,
Governor Phil Bredesen today announced
that Morgan County has been selected as the site for Tennessee’s
newest prison.
Bredesen’s decision was based on input
provided by Department of Correction Commissioner Quenton White,
along with information
from a feasibility study conducted by the engineering firm Barge,
Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon.
“
There is a critical need for additional prison beds in the eastern
region of our state, and it’s something that simply
cannot be ignored,” Bredesen said. “When you
combine that with the stable workforce in Morgan County,
the opportunity to
save the state millions by closing our oldest and most expensive
prison, and the ability to create space for an additional
838 inmates, it’s a very attractive opportunity.”
The
Department of Correction said the closure of Brushy Mountain
Prison will save the state $13 million annually in operating
costs, and will eliminate the need for an estimated $20
million in capital
improvements required to keep the aging facility in operation.
Morgan County also has the lowest employee turnover rate
in the state, which will allow the Department of Correction
to
maintain
staffing at the levels needed.
“
My staff and I have worked feverishly over the past six months
to determine the most responsible way to make room for
more inmates,” said
White. “We’re thrilled with the Governor’s
decision, and feel that it’s in the best interest
of Tennessee taxpayers.”
Construction
on the new prison will begin next fall. Once construction is
complete,
staff and inmates at the
historic
Brushy Mountain
site will be transferred to the new prison.
With
the need for more than 4,000 additional beds to be created over
the
next decade, the department expects
to
make additional
announcements in coming months.
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