The Prison Prosperity Myth

Shawn Clark, unlike some fellow Delano retailers, has done brisk business by selling office supplies to California prisons. (CLARENCE WILLIAMS / LAT)

Sept. 15, 2014 1:44 PM PT

Clearing the land for the proposed “Delano II” site. (CLARENCE WILLIAMS / LAT)

North Kern State Prison (CLARENCE WILLIAMS / LAT)

Remembering a more vibrant pre-prison downtown.

Resident Jean Flores remembers a more vibrant pre-prison downtown. (CLARENCE WILLIAMS / LAT)

One of the area businesses. (CLARENCE WILLIAMS / LAT)

Ralph Espinoza, above, owns a Delano machine shop. City officials hope a new prison will make the town a more attractive place to live, below, by offering increased employment opportunities. (CLARENCE WILLIAMS / LAT)