Federal Prison Closer To Opening In Berlin

[Silent_Bob]

http://www.wmur.com/r/29190876/detail.html

BERLIN, N.H. -- A dormant federal prison in Berlin would finally open under a funding bill approved by a Senate subcommittee Wednesday.

By a 15 to 1 vote, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies approved fiscal year 2012 funding legislation that includes $6.6 billion in funding for the Bureau of Prisons, and specifically prioritizes funding for prisons that have been completed but are awaiting funding to open. There are currently three such prisons nationwide, including Berlin Prison.

The funding bill must still be approved by the full Senate Appropriations Committee, which meets Thursday.

"This is a very positive step for the people of Berlin," U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen said. "This prison is ready to open, the prison system needs it, and the community wants it. It means good jobs in a hard hit area. I am hopeful that Congress will ultimately approve this funding plan so that this situation can finally be remedied."

The completed prison has sat vacant since its completion last year because of budget cuts. In the meantime, maintaining the empty prison is costing the government $4 million per year.

"This funding will ensure that our federal prisons are adequately staffed and enable the activation of new prisons that are currently sitting empty due to lack of funds," a Subcommittee release said.

The opening of Berlin Prison would provide a much-needed boost to one of the most economically distressed areas of New Hampshire. Opening the prison would give the community a $40 million economic boost and immediately create more than 300 jobs in a region that desperately needs them.

The 1,280-bed, medium-security federal prison was completed during 2010, at a total cost of $276 million. The federal prison system is 35 percent overcrowded and needs the new prison to address safety concerns associated with overcrowding.

[WithoutAPaddle]

I know a guy who lives near a minimum security prison in Florida.  He says he leaves all his family's cars unlocked with the keys on the seat, so that way, any escapee who decides to try to use one of his cars to flee won't have to damage it.

[KBCraig]

I know a guy who ives near a minimum security prison in Florida.  He says he leaves all his family's cars unlocked with the keys on the seat, so that way, any escapee who decides to try to use one of his cars to flee won't have to damage it.

Prison escapes are extremely rare. When they do happen, it's almost always with someone waiting on the outside. If someone were to just find himself on the outside with no planning, he's not going to stick around the neighborhood drawing attention to himself by trying to steal a car.

[Russell Kanning]

Since the Emperor heard that the Fed prisons are 35% overcrowded he ordered them to "release the prisoners"

[Lloyd Danforth]

Christ!  270 million just to get that fuck'in Craig here.

[KBCraig]

Christ!  270 million just to get that fuck'in Craig here.

I agree, it's excessive.

I'd be perfectly willing to move for a mere 200 million.

[Pat K]

Well the lady Mary is included so it's probably a bargain.

[KBCraig]

Well the lady Mary is included so it's probably a bargain.

If I drove a hard bargain, she'd push the price up to 300 mil. But today and today only, because she's so kind hearted, she'd probably do a twofer 150.

She'd good like that.

[littlehawk]

Another cozy FEMA camp. They're going to need them.

[Russell Kanning]

I think the FEMA camps are bigger

[MTPorcupine3]

Now reported here, http://nhjury.com/wmur-federal-prison-closer-to-opening-in-berlin/

As you read it, you might want to ask the following questions:

• What is a 'federal' prison doing in New Hampshire?

• Why is it that "the prison system needs it" in a country (which purports to be a beacon of freedom) with more people in prison or otherwise restricted by penalty than any other country in the world?

• In a land composed of individual, living souls, how can a community be capable of 'wanting' anything?

• Which is more important: putting existing prisons in use...or keeping people innocent of harming others out of prison in the first place?

• Which is more important: good jobs for a particular community, or freedom for all who deserve freedom?

• How much of your money is being used to support this prison system?

• If Berlin is a 'hard hit', 'economically distressed' area, how much of this hardship and distress is due to taxation and other government control?

• If the prison is "open for business" who and where is going to be hard hit and economically distressed in order to pay for it?

[AntonLee]

I can't wait for all the people in Berlin to line up and get those "jerbs" with all the pills in their system.  Last time I was there, I was amazed that while there are lots of people who I'm sure, are well enough off. . . there are a vast majority of people who are poor and who use prescription medications as money.

It's not a good thing to have a town survive on a government entity.  They're not reliable.  If you want a cheap house, get it now before the rest of them burn down.