Dianda Calls On Snyder To Stop Prison Closure

State Representative Scott Dianda is calling on Governor Rick Snyder to reverse the decision to close the Ojibway Correctional Facility in Gogebic County.

The announcement to close the prison came last week but Dianda says that will cause hardship for communities, workers and their families.

Dianda said local residents will find themselves in “a world of hurt” if the prison closes, saying schools could lose more than $700,000 in state aid, the hospital would lose more than $1 million in broken contracts, and corrections workers would have to drive more than 100 miles one way to transfer to another facility.

Democrat candidate Ken Summers, who is running to succeed Dianda in the State House, echoed his statement and added that it is the responsibility of the Governor and the Department of Corrections to consider the economic impact to a region before making this decision.

The prison is slated to close on December 1st

Here are the full statements by Dianda & Summers:

Statement from state Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) on his request to Gov. Rick Snyder to stay and reconsider the decision to close the Ojibway Correctional Facility:

MARENISCO — This week, the state announced that it would close the Ojibway Correctional Facility in Marenisco in Gogebic County on Dec. 1. Today, state Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) sent a letter to Gov. Rick Snyder asking him to stay his decision and reconsider the future of the facility because of the hardship the closure will cause for communities, workers and their families. In addition, Rep. Dianda issued the following statement:

“My western U.P. communities and constituents directly affected by the closure of Ojibway Correctional Facility would find themselves in a world of hurt if Ojibway closes, so I am asking Gov. Snyder to stay his decision and reconsider closing this facility. Gogebic County schools could lose more than $700,000 in state aid, the hospital would lose more than $1 million in broken contracts, and corrections workers would have to drive more than 100 miles one way to transfer to another facility. If this facility closes, the county would need the full force of the administration’s assistance in order to recover economically. The consequences of closing this facility far outweigh the benefits. This hasty decision to close Ojibway must be reconsidered while looking at other areas of the state that can more easily absorb the impacts of a facility closure.”

Statement from Ken Summers for State Representative on his request to Governor Rick Snyder to reconsider the decision to close Ojibway Correctional Facility:

Marenisco— This week, the MDOC announced that it would be closing the Ojibway Correctional Facility in Marenisco in Gogebic County on December 1st. Today, Ken Summers sent a letter to Governor Rick Snyder asking that he reconsider the decision to close the Ojibway Correctional Facility. In addition, Summers issued the following statement:

“Our community welcomed correctional facilities, along with the family sustaining jobs they provide, when few other areas were willing to do so. It is the responsibility of the Governor and the Department of Corrections to consider the economic impact to a region before making this decision. This decision will be devastating to our community and the surrounding area. It is clear the consequences to this community far outweigh the benefits, and there are other regions in the state that can more easily absorb the impact of such a closure.”