This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
During the Prison Relocation Commission meeting on June 17, it was stated by the Corrections Executive Director that the relocation of the Draper Prison should not be in a rural area. The whole concept is to move the prison due to the current location's higher and better use. To leave the prison in areas that are quickly developing, like Salt Lake County, would be antithesis to the whole intent of relocating the Draper prison. To stay in populated areas is contrary to the intent and would require another relocation in the near future.
When the State was looking for a new facility in the late 1980s, Gunnison would not have qualified for any of today's criteria. Gunnison has come a long way since then and would now meet the current criteria, even though it is still a small community.
The desire of a small town or county to host a prison facility is more important than some of today's relocation criteria; a small community wanting the jobs will work hard to pull a prison facility together. Today's criteria are important; but the commitment of a small community is what will make relocation successful for the long term.
Doug Fullmer
Salt Lake City