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Dear Neighbor,
Last summer, I co-signed a letter with Sen. Torrey Westrom urging the state to pursue re-opening the Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton as a common-sense solution to make up for lost beds with the phased closing of the prison in Stillwater.
The subject of re-opening the Prairie Correctional Facility – Minnesota’s only private prison, which closed in 2010 – has gained momentum amid reports it could become an ICE detention facility. While the federal government’s plans remain uncertain, Prairie Correctional owner CoreCivic reportedly is “aggressively pursuing” a contract with ICE. Also, it remains to be seen how the federal government’s shutdown that just began Wednesday may impact planning.
If additional space is needed to house detainees, it would make sense to use Appleton’s 1,600 available beds instead of spending an untold amount of taxpayer money on new facilities. Not only would it be a cost-effective option, but it would restore a number of good-paying jobs in our region and provide a boost for the people of Appleton.
During end-of-session budget negotiations in May, a phased closure of the aging Stillwater prison was added at the last minute to the Judiciary and Public Safety Conference Committee Report. The decision was a surprise to many since it came without meaningful input from legislators, Stillwater prison staff, or the public.
The governor, so far, has not expressed a willingness to restore the Appleton facility as part of our state’s correctional system, or even as a mental health facility, as Sen. Westrom and I have suggested. Maybe the federal government will help get it out of mothballs.
In other news, it was good to see Benson School District Superintendent Dennis Laumeyer recently announce that the Upper Sioux Board Tribal Nation has given the district an exemption so it can continue using the “Braves” name and the “B” with a feather logo. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to grant the exemption.
Along with that decision, the school will also be partnering with the Upper Sioux to help meet state standards and benchmarks that are specific to Indigenous people in an authentic manner.
Until next time, hope all is well and good luck to those who are busy harvesting. Please watch for combines out on the road.
Sincerely,
Paul
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