Those are options for the state departments of Corrections and Social and Health Services to take in order to save $12 million in the current 2-year state budget.

The final recommendation from consultants is supposed to come Nov. 1, but then this draft recommendation was supposed to have happened two weeks ago. So, we'll see.

Consultants put out a bunch of options, like a Chinese menu, one from Column A, one from Column B, etc...Ahtanum View is the prison for the old folk inmates. Its 100 inmates would be moved.

As for residential habitation centers for developmentally disabled folks, the Rainier School in Buckley would be closed in phases. But the consultants are recommending that the most expensive RHA, Fircrest School in Shoreline, would remain open.

Hmmm. Fircrest was moving toward full closure under former Gov. Gary Locke, but was resurrected by Gov. Chris Gregoire. The facility is now moving in the opposite direction. It's actually admitting new children these days, not downsizing.

One of the so-called Priorities of Government must be taking care of the Washington Federation of State Employees and its union members.

From the budget office news release: "Downsize McNeil Island to a minimum-security facility. Total beds reduced in this option is 1,618, which includes the closure of Ahtanum View Corrections Center in Yakima. All of Larch Corrections Center in Yacolt and two close/medium custody units at the Penitentiary could be closed if changes are made to state sentencing policy."

Consultant draft report delivered on facilities recommendations

Public comment invited; final report due Nov. 1

OLYMPIA – Consultant Christopher Murray & Associates delivered its draft report to the Office of Financial Management today on which state facilities could be closed or consolidated. The Legislature directed OFM in the state operating budget (House Bill 1244) to hire a contractor to provide recommendations for closing or consolidating institutions in the Department of Corrections, and in the Department of Social and Health Services’ Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration and Division of Developmental Disabilities programs.

The legislation requires the report to recommend reducing 1,580 beds in DOC, 235 beds in JRA and 250 beds in DDD. These reductions were to consider capital costs, economic impacts on communities, impacts on facility staff, projected savings and availability of alternative services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Savings were assumed in the 2009–11 budget of $12 million for DOC and $12 million for JRA for closures. No savings were included in the budget for residential habilitation center beds in DDD.

The consultant’s draft report recommendations are as follows:

Department of Corrections

-- Close the old main institution (the original prison behind the concrete walls built in the late 1800s, but not any of the additions, including North Close, the intensive management unit, the minimum-security unit and administration buildings) at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. Total beds reduced in this option is 1,653, which includes the closure of Ahtanum View Corrections Center in Yakima and half of Larch Corrections Center in Yacolt. Three close/medium custody units at the Penitentiary could be closed if changes are made to state sentencing policy.

OR

Downsize McNeil Island to a minimum-security facility. Total beds reduced in this option is 1,618, which includes the closure of Ahtanum View Corrections Center in Yakima. All of Larch Corrections Center in Yacolt and two close/medium custody units at the Penitentiary could be closed if changes are made to state sentencing policy.

If $41 million in capital funding is appropriated to build a medium-security unit and a close-custody unit, and to expand the kitchen, all at the Penitentiary, then the consultant’s recommendation is to choose the option to close the old main institution at the Penitentiary.

The 100 elderly, medically fragile offenders at Ahtanum View would transfer to a minimum-security unit at the Monroe Corrections Complex.

Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration

-- Close Maple Lane School in Rochester, which would result in the proviso-mandated reduction of 235 beds.

Developmental Disabilities Division (residential rehabilitation centers)

-- Close all beds for intermediate-care facilities at all facilities over an eight-year period.

-- Close, in phases, Francis Haddon Morgan Center in Bremerton by 2013.

-- Close, in phases, Rainier School in Buckley by 2017.

-- Keep open Fircrest, Lakeland Village and Yakima Valley with a small number of skilled nursing facility beds.

The budget proviso requiring the study did not identify a savings target for the 250-bed reduction in the residential habilitation centers, which would be achieved by 2013. The consultant’s recommendations would cost the state in the first year of implementation before savings begin.

Residents from the closed facilities would be moved into either smaller state-run facilities or private community-care settings. The aim of the recommendation, though not required in the budget proviso, is to close all residential habilitation centers within an eight-year period, except for the skilled nursing facility beds.

Fiscal analysis for the recommendations by the consultant has not been completed, but will be available by Nov. 1.

The initial report is posted in three parts, one for each subject area, on OFM’s Web site at http://www.ofm.wa.gov/ . Fiscal analysis will be posted as it becomes available. Comments on each part of the draft report may be made through the Web site through Oct. 21. The final report is due to the governor and Legislature Nov. 1.

Christopher Murray & Associates of Olympia was selected as the primary contractor following a competitive bidding process conducted in the spring. The contract totaled $463,000; OFM was appropriated $500,000 to contract for the study.

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