Missouri Female Prisoners Move into New Facility

Missouri Department of Corrections  Matt Blunt  Governor    Larry Crawford  Director  For further information  Contact Dean Watson,  Chief Public Information Officer  Tele: 573/522-1118  Direct FAX: 573/751-4099  P.O. Box 236  Jefferson City  MO  65102  December 5, 2008    Offenders Moved Into New Chillicothe Correctional Center     On October 24, 2006, Governor Matt Blunt helped break ground for the  new Chillicothe Correctional Center (CCC). The new CCC will house up to 1,636  female offenders, more than triple the old CCC capacity of 525, which was  originally constructed in 1887.  The new prison will employ approximately 562  Department employees, with an estimated annual payroll of $16 million.      The new prison will also relieve overcrowding at the Women's Eastern  Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (WERDCC) in Vandalia.   WERDCC was designed to house 1,460 female offenders.  Currently, there are  over 2,000 offenders housed there.  Missouri's female prison population has  increased by 150 percent during the past 10 years.  Missouri housed 1,071 female  offenders in fiscal year 1996.  Currently, the Department houses 2,502 female  offenders.  The opening of the new CCC will allow WERDCC to return to its  design capacity.      On Friday, December 5, 2008, the Department successfully transferred the  female offenders from the old CCC to the new CCC.      "I am pleased to announce that the move of offenders from the old  correctional facility to the new facility was complete at 5:15 a.m. this morning,"  Chillicothe Correctional Center Warden Jennifer Miller said.  "This move has  been successful and without incident due to the diligent planning and preparation  of a number of staff at CCC as well as the unwavering cooperation of the  Department of Corrections' various emergency squads and local law enforcement  officials.  I am very appreciative of the many efforts and contributions made by  my staff and the support we have received from our Central Office."    "The primary goal of the Missouri Department of Corrections (MDOC) is  public safety," Missouri Department of Corrections Director Larry Crawford said.   "We have done this before.  In September of 2004, MDOC successfully  transferred all male offenders from the old Missouri State Penitentiary to the new  Jefferson City Correctional Center.  I continue to be impressed with the team  work of MDOC staff and the success of the Department of Corrections.    "Governor Matt Blunt's support for this new facility, along with the  support of the Missouri Legislature, has been overwhelming and very much  appreciated," Crawford said.     "The successful transfer of offenders from the old prison to the new  facility is a vital step towards improving public safety and the safety of the staff  and offenders.  In the coming months, the Department will also relieve the  overcrowding at the Women's Eastern Reception, Diagnostic & Correctional  Center in Vandalia." said Division of Adult Institutions Director Tom Clements.                                                                        ###  -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com