Warden Says Prison Will Help Area’s Economy

The warden of the state prison being built in Lancaster promised business leaders Wednesday that the controversial 2,200-bed facility will be a good neighbor by providing more than 300 new jobs to residents and a $50-million-a-year boost to the local economy.

In his first public appearance in the Antelope Valley, Warden Otis Thurman also downplayed community concerns about the prison site and potential crime problems. He instead pledged that inmate work crews could help improve the community by cleaning parks or similar tasks.

“Whatever we can do to assist the community in their economic straits, we’d be glad to do,” Thurman said before speaking at a Lancaster Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

The $207-million prison--now about 65% built--is scheduled to be finished by May, but is not due to open until October.

State corrections officials earlier this year said that they were postponing the opening by six months to save money because of the state’s budget shortfall, estimated at about $14 billion. Thurman said October remains the target opening date despite a worsening state budget picture.

Since a 1987 decision by the state Legislature mandating a state prison in northern Los Angeles County, Antelope Valley leaders fought the west Lancaster site. The city and the county filed lawsuits to block the prison, but their case was rejected this year.

Thurman said Wednesday he did not want to debate the choice of the prison site, located near a planned 559-home subdivision. Instead, Thurman, warden of the California Institution for Men at Chino since 1986, focused on the prison’s economic benefits.

The warden promised that at least 300 people from the Antelope Valley will be hired for Lancaster prison’s expected work force of 830. The prison’s estimated $50-million annual economic impact will include about a $30-million total yearly payroll and purchases of local goods and services, he said.

Thurman said he cannot fill all the prison jobs by hiring local people because the facility must start out with experienced guards and other personnel. He said state officials are scheduled to begin testing local applicants by early next year.