Prison Opponents Discuss Safety Concerns
A group of citizens in Northern NH called Informed Citizens for a Better North Country are opposed to the construction of a Federal Prison in Berlin, NH. The group is worried that the benefits will not outweigh the risks.
Berlin, NH (PRWEB) July 24, 2006
Informed Citizens for a Better North Country continued their outreach efforts with a very successful gathering in Randolph last week. About forty citizens discussed the potential impacts of the proposed federal correctional facility in Berlin. Much of the conversation was focused on social impacts, a topic not covered in the Environmental Impact Statement which is currently being revised.
Randolph residents shared frustrations of state prisoners at the local hospital and increased crime in the region during the last five years. One resident said “we go to Weeks now for our medical care, we have no interest in sitting in waiting rooms with shackled prisoners at AVH.”
One Randolph family spoke of the need to lock doors for the first time, and the reoccurrences of burglaries in north country neighborhoods. This loss of safety and security in the North Country was described as a “decreased quality of life.”
A resident of Gorham reminded the group that prisons rely on crime producing conditions and that the prison could create such conditions.
A Berlin resident added “Currently 67% of released inmates will re-offend within three years and this is not a safe situation for Berlin and the entire region. Other meeting participants spoke of families following state inmates and the available cheap housing in Berlin as contributing to a multitude of social problems, noting it will only be exacerbated with federal inmates coming to the area.
Berlin resident, and School Board member, Nathan Morin agreed that prisons and subsequent population changes bring increased challenges to an already burdened school system. The types of families following inmates to a community almost certainly require social support systems, including high special education requirements and costs. This will mean higher taxes for the residents of the region to support these incoming students.
Representatives of the Informed Citizens group encouraged all attendees to call and write to Senator Judd Gregg at (603) 225-7115 as soon as possible to let him know their concerns and opposition to this project.
Nathan Morin
Informed Citizens for a Better North Country
(603) 752-3509
Www. nofederalprison. org
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