April 8, 1998

The Honorable Tony Knowles
Governor of Alaska
PO Box 110001
Juneau, AK 99811-0001

RE: House Bill 53

Dear Governor Knowles:

House Bill 53 is before you for your consideration. I respectfully request that you sign it into law as quickly as possible.

HB 53 does three things:

• Expresses the Legislature’s intent to assist in reducing the occupancy of state prisons that are seriously over emergency capacity;
• Encourages the commissioner of corrections to contract with the City of Delta Junction to provide prison space on the realigned Ft. Greely; and
• Authorizes a lease with the Municipality of Anchorage to replace the obsolete Sixth Avenue Jail

As you know, our prisons are severely overcrowded. The Legislature has considered many options to resolve this problem. HB 53, combined with the FY 99 budget proposal, contains a significant step toward that end. HB 53 provides the opportunity to acquire the use of 800 prison beds at Ft. Greely at a very reasonable price. Between now and the time we can occupy the prison at Ft. Greely, the budget allows for placement of prisoners out of state.

It also approves a new jail facility in Anchorage. The new facility will bring about 275 new beds on line. Working with the Municipality of Anchorage, we will be able to increase the efficiency of jail services and reduce some of the costs of transportation and arraignment of prisoners.

The renovation of facilities at Ft. Greely provides the ability to bring prisoners back to Alaska, employ Alaskans and put state expenditures back into the Alaskan economy. It also provides a real opportunity to preserve the economy of the Delta Junction region.

House Bill 53 is a positive step to resolve prison overcrowding and saving the Delta economy. Thank you for your positive consideration.

Sincerely

< Signature>

Eldon Mulder, Representative
District 23