The Arizona Department of Corrections will hold a public hearing from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 11, at the Winslow High School Performing Arts Center to allow Winslow residents to express their feelings regarding the possible location of a private prison in the city.

Department of Corrections Director Chuck Ryan, former warden of the state prison in Winslow, will conduct the meeting, which will include speakers from LaSalle Corrections, the company which will build and operate the Winslow facility if the community is selected as a site for a private prison.

The Department of Corrections has already determined that there will be private prisons contracted to house 5,000 prisoners over the next three years. Five sites are still under consideration, with Eloy, Goodyear, San Luis and Coolidge joining Winslow on that list. LaSalle is one of four companies under consideration.

The purpose of the meeting is both to inform citizens of Winslow of the project, and to learn of their concerns and whether they would likely support the private prison.

City Manager Jim Ferguson said that the prison would likely bring 215 permanent jobs to the community, with a number of jobs coming to businesses which service the prison and its employees. He sees it as an important boost to Winslow and its economy. He said that this will be the last meeting before the Department of Corrections makes a decision on where prisons will be built this year. Plans indicate that the decision will be made in September. It will also be decided whether all 5,000 beds will be accounted for immediately or some within the next couple of years. He said it would be better if Winslow is awarded a prison as soon as possible.

LaSalle Corrections is a family business headed by CEO Billy McConnell and including the former head of the Texas Department of Corrections. He and other representatives of the company will likely be at the meeting to make a presentation and answer questions.

Ferguson said that he is very pleased with McConnell’s concern with good rehabilitation programs. LaSalle reportedly emphasizes efforts to teach inmates new skills, and ways to get along better with people and keep good jobs once they get them. The company also encourages religious programs in its existing facilities and allows ministers to come into its facilities to work with prisoners.

The city manager noted that the facility would have an annual payroll of approximately $7.5 million. It would also likely buy much of its products locally, patronize local merchants and depend upon local medical care.

LaSalle Corrections’ proposal is to build and operate a 1,000-bed facility in Winslow near the existing state prison. If that proposal is accepted by the Department of Corrections, other sites may also be selected for construction this year. At any rate, the new facility would be for 1,000 beds and be smaller than the Winslow State Prison Complex.