Henagan still seeking state money for Phelps
Last Modified: Monday, September 24, 2012 12:09 PM
By Johnathan Manning / American Press
Friday’s revelation that the state has $130 million left over from the last fiscal year once again raised questions with DeQuincy Mayor Lawrence Henagan as to why the state is planning to shut down C. Paul Phelps Correctional Center in DeQuincy.
The state announced Sept. 14 that it will close the medium-security prison Nov. 1. The 942-bed facility employs 269 people.
“I see a headline where we found 130 million, but we’ve got to cut these jobs for 250 families? Come on, Governor, what are we doing here?” Henagan said.
Henagan said prison officials called him Friday with a request to use the city’s backhoe because construction materials were being received.
He said he found it “confusing” as to why construction is continuing when the prison is to be closed in two months.
Henagan met with state officials this week, but said he is still upset about the closing and the fact that the state informed the prison of its impending closure by telephone late on a Friday afternoon.
“Are these 250 families still going to work there? Are they still saying they’re going to close Nov. 1? Yeah, I’m still fired up,” Henagan said.
“There are 500 people whose lives are being turned upside down, and they (state officials) let the news media do their dirty work.”
Posted By: Rodney Brister On: 9/23/2012
Title: Retired form Phelps
Go Sam
Posted By: Sam Matthis On: 9/22/2012
Title: but they knew in July
Construction work began in July to recieve the offenders from Phelps but only when it leaked out on the 14th did they tell the public of the closure. As normal Jendel looks not only to by pass the law but the people of this state. The land goes back to the first owners is it is not "state run" but he spent millions of dollars for his private friends to try and come in. And these friends have shown in other states that once they come in they charge more or go to outside offenders that they get higher pay for but still pay the workers just over minamum wage. I think not only the workers at Phelps got it in the back and but the people of this area and state will pay for it for years to come
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