Gov. McDonnell: Correctional Facility is a
Priority
Richmond – In a letter to Sen. Bill Carrico
(R-Grayson) yesterday, Gov. Bob McDonnell affirmed his administration’s support
of the River North Correctional Facility in Grayson County, and pledged to
continue to pursue options that would allow the prison to become fully
operational. The letter, also sent to Del. Israel O’Quinn (R-Washington), comes
after the General Assembly passed a budget that did not include language
addressing the correctional facility.
“The
River North project is critically important to the citizens of Grayson County
and the surrounding area,” Carrico said. “While we understand the difficult
economic times, it is also imperative that our government take steps to open
this facility. Gov. McDonnell has heard our concerns, and has pledged to do
everything he can to bring about the successful conclusion of this project. I
am confident his administration will be a steady partner in this
endeavor.”
The
correctional facility, which was authorized and constructed before McDonnell
took office, is the newest addition to Virginia’s corrections system. Carrico
worked for years in the House of Delegates to ensure the prison’s construction,
before being elected to the Senate last year. His successor in the House, Del.
O’Quinn, has partnered with Carrico to solidify funding mechanisms in a sparse
budget environment.
"I am
glad the Governor is willing to work towards the opening of the prison in
Grayson County,” O’Quinn said. “This is one of my top priorities and Senator
Carrico and I have had numerous meetings with Public Safety officials to address
our concerns. This is a big step in the right direction.”
In
the letter, Gov. McDonnell twice confirms that the facility is a priority of his
administration, and that he will “work to open it as soon as possible, based on
the state’s finances and the projected inmate population.” He also details
plans for expanding efforts to contract with other states or the Federal
government for housing inmates, and outlined efforts within his cabinet to
identify all possible funding sources.
“It
has been a long road, and more work remains ahead of us,” Carrico said. “But, I
am committed to this project for the citizens of my district, and with Gov.
McDonnell’s support, I’m confident that Del. O’Quinn and I will make progress
toward our ultimate goal: opening this facility and putting hundreds of
Southwest Virginians to work.”
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