The Nation - News from July 14, 1987

Gov. Mario M. Cuomo signed legislation allowing New York state’s prison system to begin a rapid expansion featuring a troop barge and boot camps. The barge is in the Falkland Islands, where it housed 850 British soldiers. Officials plan to have the vessel floated to the New York City area where it will be converted to a 700-inmate, minimum-security prison. The plan also calls for four, 250-inmate facilities, to be modeled on military boot camps, which will stress physical training and counseling.