Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Lawmaker makes stand for Natural Bridge correctional center
Del. Ben Cline wants to prevent the closure of the facility for juveniles in Natural Bridge.
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roanoke.com/politics
RICHMOND -- A state lawmaker wants the General Assembly to convene a special session and reverse Gov. Tim Kaine's budget-driven decision to close the Natural Bridge Juvenile Correctional Center.
Del. Ben Cline, R-Rockbridge County, sent a letter last week to leaders in both houses of the legislature asking for a special session "to correct this misguided change in public safety policy." Kaine ordered the closing of the Natural Bridge center and two adult correctional facilities as part of a plan to close a $1.35 billion budget shortfall.
State Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath County, said he also would support a limited special session to reconsider the closings of correctional facilities. Deeds is the Democratic nominee for governor and the Natural Bridge facility is in his Senate district.
The state would save about $1.2 million this year by closing the Natural Bridge facility and eliminating 68 jobs. Plans call for the property to be sold.
Cline said Kaine's decision goes beyond the state budget and affects public safety policy. The juvenile center at Natural Bridge houses less-violent offenders who are making the transition to freedom.
Cline said the General Assembly "has made clear that there is to be a facility for nonviolent offenders in our juvenile justice system. Natural Bridge is one of a kind."
Cline said he also wants to keep the facility open "for the sake of the kids who are there -- whose recidivism rate is far below the other facilities."
"The performance is outstanding, the employees are outstanding and they have been treated badly by this whole process," Cline said Tuesday.
Cline said House Speaker Bill Howell, R-Stafford County, has told him that a special session is "under consideration, but there's no decision at this point."
Kaine spokesman Gordon Hickey said the governor stands by the decision to close the correctional facilities and does not intend to reverse it.
"All of these budget cuts, including that one, were made very carefully after a great deal of consideration," Hickey said.
Deeds considers Natural Bridge "a one-of-a-kind facility that helps juvenile offenders learn valuable career skills, pursue an education and become productive citizens," campaign spokesman Jared Leopold said. Deeds wants to work with the governor's office and local elected officials to consider alternatives to closure, Leopold said.
