What Would You Build #InsteadofPrisons?
Today, along with our #Insteadofprisons image, we hear from Hugh at SCI Graterford:
The DOC is Penny-Wise and Pound Foolish
Construction has begun on Graterfords 1500 acres which will be the site of Phoenix I and Phoenix II state penitentiaries replacing Graterford. This is an example of being penny wise and pound foolish and this is why.
Graterford and the Empire State Building were built starting in 1929. Both buildings earned the distinction of being the largest of its kind: Graterford’s interior is 53 acres and the Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world, nearly a quarter mile high. Graterford we are told is old, outdated and in desperate need of repair and needs replacing. The odd and puzzling thing is why isn’t the Empire facing the same fate? The answer is simple: Empire was the beneficiary of a well planned, comprehensive preventative maintenance program, with consent and timely structural upgrades and improvements. Graterford, however, was allowed to deteriorate and only repaired under crisis. Now the DOC is willing to spend $400 million to replace Graterford while its New York counterpart proudly stands. Secretary Wetzel says it would cost a mere $50 million to bring Graterford up to speed. This, we are told, will be cost effective in the future because Phoenix will require fewer personnel. Perhaps in 100 years, but not today.
Consider this: Buckingham Palace and Champs Eleyse are hundreds of years old and are fully functional and have withstood the test of time. If Phoenix are an example of modern technology, it is doubtful that they will last fewer than 50 years. Veterans Stadium barely lasted 25 years before being torn down, which brings back the old saying “that they do not build them that way anymore.”
However, whichever way one looks at this, building the Phoenix is penny-wise and pound foolish. That is your tax dollars at work.
Tell us what you would build instead of prisons! You can post here, tweet at us (@DecarceratePA) or share on our Facebook page. Spread the word and help us envision a better future for Pennsylvania #insteadofprisons!
Each day until December 31, we are posting an image from our collective imagination of what we would build instead of prisons. We call on Pennsylvania legislators and Governor Corbett to cancel all ongoing prison construction and resolve to make 2014 a Year of No New Prisons!
The #insteadofprisons images we post were created by people around the state as part of Decarcerate PA’s March for A People’s Budget, Not a Prison Budget. When we met with people in Philadelphia before the march, and as we walked from town to town, we asked Pennsylvanians to make a flag and share with us what they would build #insteadofprisons.
Don’t forget to tell us what you would build #insteadofprisons and ask all of your friends and family to do the same!
More information at www.decarceratepa.info