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Hearing set for new prison
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CopyThe Washington State Department of Corrections will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 6, at the Mason County Public Works office to get feedback about locating a new statewide intake center in Shelton.
The Shelton site is one of three finalists for the new intake center and separate hearings were scheduled earlier this week in Thurston and Kitsap counties.
The Shelton site consists of an area of approximately 50 acres
south of State Route 102 and northeast of the existing Washington State Correctional Center.
Officials say that the proposed Westside Prison Reception Center needs to be operational by 2016 because population forescasts indicate a bed shortage for male of-fenders by that time. The proposed 1,024-bed center would be about 356,000 square feet in size and require a staff of some 500 people.
The reception center would be the first place offenders go after sentencing.
Once at the center, an offender's physical and mental health is assessed, security and management needs are evaluated and long-term placement is determined. Officials said that process typically takes four to six weeks before an offender is transferred to another facility.
Copyright 2011 Shelton-Mason County Journal, Shelton, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.
© 2011 Shelton-Mason County Journal Shelton, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.
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