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State Representative Andrew Falk
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4228
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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FALK MEETS WITH CORRECTIONS COMMISSIONER TO DISCUSS PROTECTING PRAIRIE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY JOBS
St. Paul, MN – State Representatives Andrew Falk and Lyle Koenen, and State Senator Gary Kubly met last week with Minnesota Department of Corrections Commissioner Joan Fabian and her staff regarding the Prairie Correction Facility in Appleton. Unfortunately, representatives from the prison were not present.
At Rep. Falk’s town hall meeting the previous weekend over 100+ prison employees shared their concern that Prairie Correctional Facility might close. Falk said he is working closely with the Commissioner and her staff regarding the importance of protecting jobs by keeping the facility open.
“We’re very serious about doing everything we can to protect the over 200 jobs provided in our area by the Prairie Correctional Facility," said Falk. “We had a very good discussion today with both the Commissioner and members of the Public Safety Committee. People are beginning to understand how important this facility is to Appleton and the surrounding areas.”
The Prairie Correctional Facility is a privately owned prison that contracts with the Minnesota Department of Corrections to house prisoners. Rep. Falk has co-authored legislation with Rep. Torrey Westrom that would strengthen this relationship by transferring inmates from the state-owned, medium security Moose Lake prison to Prairie. If passed, this legislation would help protect the jobs at Prairie and provide additional space at the Moose Lake facility to house sex offenders. Commissioner Fabian stated that she is more than happy and willing to highlight the Department of Correction’s excellent relationship with Prairie Correctional Facility. However, she stated that Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) has a responsibility to market their product accordingly. Minnesota is 49 out of 50 in terms of incarceration rates. Many other states are looking for beds and space and CCA needs to step up to the plate.
The Prairie Correctional Facility has housed between 300-1200 state prisoners over the last several years. Falk said the public/private partnership is a model that not only saves the state money, but also increases local property tax revenue.
Prairie has and will continue to be a resource for the Department of Corrections. “I believe we all came away from the meeting today encouraged by what we heard, and optimistic that Prairie is part of a long-term plan for the Department of Corrections” said Falk.
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