- Local
- Community
- Journalism
Support the independent voice of Dallas and help keep the future of Dallas Observer free.
A couple of weeks back, Nicole Porter at Texas Prison Bid'ness took note of the state's impending budget shortfall and concluded that, more than likely, it'll result in the closing of some private prisons and jails. Sure, but which ones? Well, writes our old pal Scott Henson today over at Grits for Breakfast, just maybe the Jesse R. Dawson State Jail on Commerce Street, operated by Corrections Corporation of America, could wind up on the chopping block. It would certainly make sense: According to a list Scott got from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the state's contract with Dawson expires January 15, 2011.
But more to the point, the city would like that sumbitch moved, as it stands in the way of Trinity River Corridor Project development. Writes Scott:
The fact that Dawson's contract ends on January 15, 2011 is a significant date for the city of Dallas: If the state renews the contract, the proposed riverfront redevelopment could be put on hold indefinitely. It's possible, then, we may see members of the Dallas delegation and related development interests pushing for non-renewal, though certainly CCA will have its own lobbyists on the other side.
Keep the Dallas Observer Free... Since we started the Dallas Observer, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Dallas, and we would like to keep it that way. Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Dallas with no paywalls.
