ANOTHER LITTLE DETAIL LEFT OUT OF THE GOVERNOR’S BUDGET—PROPOSED CLOSURE OF PINE LODGE CORRECTIONS CENTER FOR WOMEN

For some reason, the governor did not reveal she wants to close Pine Lodge Corrections Center for Women in Medical Lake where members of Local 782 work.

It only became apparent late last week after internal memos went out to staff that Gov. Gregoire wants to close Pine Lodge and shift the inmates to Larch Mountain north of Vancouver.

Why the secrecy over Pine Lodge? Who knows.

We do know that Pine Lodge on Dec. 10 passed its latest accreditation audit with flying colors. It scored 100 percent on mandatory standards from the American Correctional Association.

Here’s what state prisons director Dick Morgan said just 11 days ago: “This accreditation score is a significant accomplishment for Pine Lodge. ACA accreditation is the gold standard for management of prisons and demonstrates to the community that Pine Lodge is a safe and well-run facility.”

So, put saving Pine Lodge at the top of our budget priority call to action list, along with the governor’s proposed closure of Naselle Youth Camp and Yakima Valley School.

It’s never too early to mobilize. Call your legislators and the governor at 1-800-562-6000 and tell them to save Pine Lodge Corrections Center for Women. As we get past the holidays and into the days before the start of the legislative session Jan. 12, we will have many more calls to action.