Questions Presented to the La Salle County
Commissioners Court Regarding
the La Salle County Regional Correctional Facility

The following questions and concerns were gathered by Donna Lednicky through informal conversations with Encinal community members and a meeting held in Encinal on the evening of October 9, 2002.

While many of these questions were addressed by either Adrian Lopez or Andy Landrum during the meeting on October 9, concerned citizens specifically request that the answers to the questions be made in writing. You may send your response to:

Citizens Concerned about
the La Salle County
Regional Correctional Facility
c/o City of Encinal
P.O. Box 120
Encinal, TX 78019

General Questions.

La Salle County already has a correctional facility, why would we want to build another one?

How does this contract differ from the failed prison contract of previous years in Cotulla?

Questions regarding public participation.

Why haven't the City of Encinal and southern La Salle county residents been more included in the planning for this facility?

How can the City of Encinal and southern La Salle county residents be more included in the development of this project?

In the future, can/will the county post meeting agendas in Encinal?

In the future, can/will the county solicit input from the residents of the Encinal community when making plans for the area?

Questions regarding the non-profit organization, the LaSalle County Public Facilities Detention Corporation.

Why was the non-profit organization formed?

Who initially proposed the formation of a non-profit organization in relation to this project?

When the new commissioners and new county judge come to office in January, will they be put on the non-profit board?

Can the non-profit include additional board members who represent the Encinal community?

Shouldn't the non-profit board consist solely of members who represent the interests of Encinal?

Can we get a copy of the by-laws for the non-profit organization?

Does the corporation meet apart from the commissioner’s court?

Questions regarding the process of securing funds and building the facility.

Who will put up money for construction?

For how much is the earnest money contract?

Who is the bidder?

What was the purchase price of the land?

How much will be borrowed through bonds?

Who is issuing the bonds?

How can we be assured that the county will not be held liable?

Why isn't the lease agreement for the facility filed at the county?

How can a non-profit with no assets issue bonds?

Who will actually own the land on which the facility is built?

What kind of bond certificates will be issued?

What are Certificates of Participation and how are these different from Certificates of Obligation?

If this doesn't work, who is going to pick up the cost?

How will the $3 million cap grant be used?

Who is taking the financial risk?

Questions about the facility and its operations.

Why was Emerald awarded the contract?

How financially solid is Emerald?

What is the turnover rate for employees at other Emerald Correctional Facilities?

How will it be possible to build a 2,000 bed facility and maintain a rural ambiance for Encinal?

How can we ensure that the lights will not glare into the sky?

Will the operation of the facility provide any income to the City of Encinal?

Why does the facility need to be right next to the city?

Why did the current landowner oppose having the proposed facility site be annexed by the city?

Where exactly is the proposed site?

Can we see a block diagram of the proposed site?

Who is going to own the facility?

What is the relationship between the county and the non-profit organization?

What is the relationship among the private prison operators, the county, and the non-profit organization?

Can we see the plans (both proposed and finalized) for financing, engineering and architecture of the facility?

Where are US Marshals currently housing prisoners?

What types/classes of prisoners will be housed in the facility?

What is the meaning/significance of "detention"?

Will this be a detention center or a prison?

Can the types/classes of prisoners change?

Who else (besides US Marshals) will have access to the facility?

How many escapes has the Emerald Corrections Company had?

How long has the Emerald Corrections Company been operational?

What size and type of facilities does Emerald operate?

How will the county guarantee the safety of the Encinal community?

How will the facility affect the water supply and its quality?

Will the facility recycle gray water?

Questions about economic development benefits.

How will this facility provide economic benefit to the people of southern La Salle county?

How can the county insure that no negative economic consequences (loss of property value, loss of hunting income) will occur for Encinal community residents?

Who in Encinal is qualified to work at a prison?

What type of jobs will be available?

What are the qualifications for these jobs?

How many of each type of job will be available at the prison?

Where is training available for these jobs?

How much does training cost?

How much will these jobs pay?

How does this pay compare to state or federal wages for similar prison positions?

Has the county evaluated the impact upon economic development in other communities with similar facilities (i.e. Dilley)?