(Photo: West Central Tribune)
There’s a community meeting in Appleton tonight (6pm) on a proposal that the state lease and re-open the privately-run, now-vacant Prairie Correctional Facility — but it’s a long-shot at the Capitol. Appleton area officials point to clear economic benefits at a time the state needs more prison beds. But Governor Mark Dayton included money in his bonding proposal for only minor expansions at existing facilities, saying “just building another prison is not gonna be our answer.” Dayton says he also doesn’t support the state leasing the Appleton facility and wants new initiatives so fewer people end up in prison. A special commission recently reduced sentences for some non-violent drug offenses but influential Republicans at the legislature want to override that decision.