The petition being circulated by Bethlehem Township resident Joseph Perno notes one salient detail that I had completely missed. This facility will be privatized, administered by Community Education Centers, Inc., a New Jersey corporation whose allegiance is to its bottom line, not the public or inmates.As a former warden of three Florida prisons makes clear, these privateers will profit at our risk.
* Private prisons have much lower standards than state operated prisons;
* Private prisons pay their employees lower wages than the state and thus draw a lower caliber applicant;
* Private prisons are well known for hiring staff who have been "fired" from state agencies;
* Private prisons have a very poor retirement set-up compared to state agencies;
* Private prisons draw commuter employees from poorest areas ... as affordable housing is not available;
* Private prisons have high escape rates, thus creating special dangers to the community;
* Private prisons return the sickest of their inmates to the host state, thus sucking profits from the public whilst creating extra costs to the state;
* Private prisons are definitely more dangerous for both staff and inmates because of lax and often insufficient security; assaults on staff by inmates are 50 percent higher than in state run facilities;
* Private prisons will preach strongly that they can do it for less and save money, but it's all based on "selective citation of data" in lieu of factual material; the cost is actually higher;
* Private prisons are well known for not accurately advising the public on what final prisoner population numbers will be, often saying 1,500 "or more";
* Private prisons have one goal - profit!
This may be a transitional prison, but it is still a prison. I have created a link to Perno's petition, which you can review and sign here.
36 comments:
Which of Stoff's Republican money advisors is pushing this deal?
The anti-privatization anecdotes are not surprising, especially coming from a former member of the prison business. And make no mistake, this is a business that costs millions and employs thousands.
Prohibitions don't work. If we stop warehousing non-violent drug offenders, we can stop building warehouses and the point of this post will be moot.
Which of Stoff's Republican money advisors is pushing this deal?
The privatization advocate, who has never given a dime to Stoffa, is Abe Atiyeh. He and his father-in-law, Ramzi Haddad, were heavy campaign contributors to Lamont McClure. They also gave to Tony Branco, whose council campaign failed.
I'm surprised the prison union is not going nuts over this.
From what I understand, many of the state prison guards retire after 20 or 30 years with a retirement that is about $60,000 a year plus all kind of perks. Why do seniors on limited income have to pay for this gravy train. Even the taxpayers of NC should not have to pay for this gross injustice of taxpayer money.
First of all, I don't consider a pension a "gross injustice of taxpayer money." Second, surrenduring control of a county core function to a private entity whose sole motivation is profit will end up costing taxpayers in the long run, and in many ways. I am very leery of privatization as a general principle, and am especially leery when it invades a province that really belongs to government.
" Private prisons draw commuter employees from poorest areas ... as affordable housing is not available;" A racest remark in my view
You're out of your mind. This fellow is stating fact. Lots of areas don't have affordable housing.
people are not sent to prison because of their "good behavior"... bottom line
The fellow seemed to state anecdotes, not facts. And please tell us more about the province of government. Lottery? Slots? Very provincial.
Um, anecdotes are facts. The county's core responsibilities are the row offices, the courts and the prison. That's why it's there.
Say, B, shouldn't they just build a separate wing for all the former and present public officials and employees who have been indicted in the last decade? Borough Mayors alone could fill one wing. We could even name it the "Michael Soloman/Glenn Reibman facility for not so violent offenders!"
Whaddaya say?!
Even more reason to co-operate with Lehigh County! We've got our share of those!
Bernie O'Hare said...
You're out of your mind. This fellow is stating fact. Lots of areas don't have affordable housing.
11:16 AM
Bernie... what does affordable housing have to do with a prison? you are the one who brought it up. The thing is what is the definition of affordable? The thing is I cannot afford this or that but so what... someone else can. you live on your means. If that is the standard rule for picking an employee, it is racest or bigoted.
This ex-warden noted that these private facilities pay so poorly that the people who work there must live in poorer areas. Is that so hard to understand? There was nothing racist about what he wrote.
Glenn Reibman was never 'indicted' or charged with any crime whatsoever. Despite the attempts of many and the inordinate amount of investigation and review, nothing ,nada, zip. You must be thinking of Angle.
Michael Soloman was out the door before he was charged with a mail fraud or Income tax offense. If we want the guilt by association deal we could play all day, including the mighty Stoff. I am not surprised by this Bethlehem Township prison move. He wants to build another prison in the slate belt and calls it 'economic development'
My biggest concern is that he has said in the past and was again overheard talking about selling Gracedale. That would be the biggest mistake he could ever make.
To the Twp. folk keep fighting the good fight.
Yes, anecdotes are facts. But deciding important issues on the basis of anecdotal evidence is perilous. A former warden would seem to have an ax to grind with regard to privatization. I'm not decided on the issue, but don't think privatization should be summarily rejected without a closer look. After all, it's county management that's given us the current system. I'm curious for no other reason than the strange political brew of Stoffa and Atiyeh - and your opposition.
Interesting that Abes buddy is now Cunningham's newly hired DCED regionalization manager. Abe gave big money to him last election according to the Morning Call. Not the best choice for that position. IMO.
I'm curious for no other reason than the strange political brew of Stoffa and Atiyeh - and your opposition
I both admire and respect John Stoffa, and on the basis of my limited information, I oppose this idea. I'm concerned about the involvement of a private firm.
John Stoffa undoubedly has his own reasons to support this project, and he may be right and i may be wrong. I do know this much. If he supports this project, it is in spite of Abe Atiyeh and not because of him.
From what I understand, many of the state prison guards retire after 20 or 30 years with a retirement that is about $60,000 a year plus all kind of perks. Why do seniors on limited income have to pay for this gravy train. Even the taxpayers of NC should not have to pay for this gross injustice of taxpayer money.
$60K is gross injustice? At one point, we as a nation took care of our retirees. It's too bad that the private sector has given into the lowest common denominator of greed. They've fooled the masses into thinking its now exclusively YOUR job to prepare your retirement finances. You give a life to a profession (a dangerous one at that) and you begrudge a pension of $60K a year? Now they want you to invest your peanuts into a system that makes them billions and you more peanuts. They could care less about you. It's refreshing to know that at least some entity still takes care of their employees.
Anon 5:00, You make the case far more eloquently than I could ever do.
Anonn2:25
Thats interseting. A friend who works out in a township was surprised. He said the other guy was working with them alot and didn't know why they got rid of him.
I guess the new guy is a friend of Abe and has had some history with Lehigh County folks.
I don't know more than that, maybe Bernie knows more.
so, according to the express times, honest abe states that the inmates will act like "a bunch of angels" at his 'facility'
Tinkerbell,
Lucifer was an angel.
Bad Idea to Privatize.
What you call a privatized prison is actually a work release/rehabilitation treatment center. The people housed in this center are not inner city scum or low lifes as referred to in another blog; they're NON-VIOLENT offenders. Non-violent offenders being incarcerated for failure to pay child support, DUI charges, retail theft and the like would surely benefit from this treatment facility. How many people opposed to this facility have committed a similar crime? Have you NEVER gone out and had just one too many and decided to drive home anyway? The ONLY difference between you and these 'low-lifes' as you call them is they were caught and you weren't! If you live in a glass house....don't throw stones!
Sally, let's get three things clear.
1) Nobody on this blog referred to the inmates of any prison as "inner city scum" or "low lifes." So you're reacting to charges that no one here ever made.
2) A work release center "treatment facility" is still a prison. Freedom of movement is deprived in a significant way.
3) My probelm with this facility is that it seems that it is going to be privatized, and that really bothers me. I am deeply concerned what will happen to these inmates while the county is looking the other way.
I disagree with Bernie Ohare's opinion.
Anon 2:25 and Anon 6:26
I doubt if BO will report on the connections. He probably got that 3am call on the red phone requesting the troops to stand down...or maybe it was a press release on his fax machine.
Anon 9:59,
The focus of this post is what may or may not be a privatized prison in Bethlehem Tp. It has nothing whatsoever to do w/ Cunningham or his DCED director. And I'm not going to respond to some unsubstantiated anonymous OT rant.
Bernie,
why do you care about what happens to them, at night in bed with 300 other friends?
County is not looking the other way, decision been made, next order of business on the agenda is...
3) My probelm with this facility is that it seems that it is going to be privatized, and that really bothers me. I am deeply concerned what will happen to these inmates while the county is looking the other way.
Anon 10:41,
Obviously, I care what happens to 300 inmates. Don't you? And no decision has been made. So far as I know, county council has not been asked to approve this facility. It is not on the agenda for tomorrow's meeting. Beth Tp commissioners made clear on monday that nothing is before them. This is far from a done deal. And I am concerned about privatization, although I know absolutely no details.
Bernie, I think the deal may not be done but John has laid the groundwork. He did a pre-emptive strike getting the story out there with a 'leak'. He knows the press is in his corner and now has them on his side for this great project. The msm will help pressure Beth. Twp. and CC with supporting articles.
It is a classic political move if the press likes you and you happen to be teflon.
Anon 12:51,
Regardless of the merits of this proposal, the ideea was definitely not leaked by Stoffa, who appeared visibly upset when I saw him after that story broke. The story was published by Matt Assad, who does not even cover the courthouse. At the time, council members were being furnished details and were being asked individually to look at the place. Stoffa would have no reason to promote a project by releasing a few details to a member of the press before council and Beth Tp officials knew what was going on. The story was leaked to kill the idea so Stoffa is not behind it. I suspect I know who is behind this but don't know and won't guess.
after reading the comments on this topic in the MC, I'm inclined to support the concept just so the suburbs have to share some of the burdens that are currently being endured by the cities they exploit.
Our prison is overflowing. Stoffa has a plan to help this. Something must be done to help the prison overcrowding at once. I am afraid the inmates will file a lawsuit with the ACLU about the overcrowding. The ACLU will bring in 50 lawyers just like you BO' That will cost us taxpayers of NC millions if not billions of dollars. Bernie Ohare doesnt care, He doesn't pay any property taxes yet he has been complaining about the Stoffa BT center plan for 3 entire days and nights so far. I also see most of the postings are against BO's views. I have a view also and it is my opinion to go with John Stoffas's plan. Bernie Ohare has no plan except to simply complain. That is no solution. ("if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem")
River,
I did express concerns about what I know and about the possible privatization of this prison. And I did propose a solution - regionalization with LC and join ranks with them off of Route 78.
It appears to me that you are more interested in making personal attacks than in the relativce merits of an expanded work release center.
When I permit you to post comments here, they are usually ill-informed and involve personal attacks, just like this one. For that reason, further comments from you will be deleted.
Privatized prisons are a horrible idea. All you have to do is read the horror storys about the Riots ect and you will see how bad they are. They are greedy companies at best. They have no desire to treat or reform inmates. Thus they are incapable to running such a facility in the proper manner.
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