NCJ Number
115507
Date Published
1986
Length
65 pages
Annotation
This study evaluated the economic and fiscal impact of a proposed State prison in Del Norte County near Crescent City, Calif.
Abstract
The inmate population would be 2,600 at 120 percent capacity and 4,000 at 190 percent capacity. Direct prison employment would be 1,277 or 1,567 depending on occupancy rate, with an annual payroll of $34,274,680 to $42,058,280. Additional annual prison expenditures are expected to be $500 annually per inmate. An estimated 520 or 644 induced jobs would be created in the County, primarily in retail trade and food services, all of which are assumed would be filled by County residents and families of prison employees. This will have a significant economic impact on an economy founded on fishing, tourism, and timber. It is estimated that up to 500 current residents will be hired by the prison, which represents 10 percent of current wage and salaried employment. Predicted population increases range from 12.8 to 17.6 percent in Crescent City and from 11.1 to 15.2 percent in unincorporated areas of the County. Prison-related economic growth should result in an annual fiscal surplus both for the County and for Crescent City. In addition, the prison will generate reimbursable costs for the County, and construction will produce short-lived economic benefits for both County and Crescent City. Other economic benefits will accrue because of increases in value added, gross output, and personal consumption. Fiscally the County should break even, while the City will reap an annual net income of about $36,000. Supplemental materials are appended. 18 tables.