Policy Research Shop Grafton County Correctional Facility An

Policy Research Shop Grafton County Correctional Facility An Analysis of Options for the Old Grafton County Jail By: Richard D’Amato, Marissa Greco, and Michael Sanchez Support for the Policy Research Shop is provided by the Ford Foundation and by the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, U. S. Department of Education. The contents of this report were developed under grant P 116 B 100070 from the U. S. Department of Education. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U. S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

Policy Research Shop Goal To provide a comprehensive explanation of viable alternatives Grafton County has for dealing with its currently outdated jail. Benefits and drawbacks are considered for each alternative.

Policy Research Shop Case Studies • Demolish existing facility • Renovate facility for other use • Use facility for its historic value

Policy Research Shop Case Studies Demolish Existing Facility • Carroll County, NH • Knox County, ME

Policy Research Shop Case Studies Renovate Facility For Other Use • • Cheshire County, NH Merrimack County, NH Somerset County, ME York County, ME Addison County, VT Essex County, VT Windsor County VY

Policy Research Shop Case Studies Use Facility For Its Historic Value • Hancock County, ME • Lincoln County, ME • York County ME

Policy Research Shop Options for Grafton County • Old jail section: – Costs of demolition • New jail section – Juvenile corrections/Weekenders facility – Community outreach center – Farm-to-School Pilot Program – Alternative energy research plant – Complete overhaul – Historical preservation – Level the entire facility

Policy Research Shop Old jail section • Oldest part of jail built in 1897 • Run-down, dilapidated structure • Steel piping runs vertically through center of structure, renovation costly • Cost of demolition: $125, 640

Policy Research Shop New Jail Section • Cost of demolition: $128, 025 • Costs of basic renovation: $286, 826 – Only includes costs of bringing building up to code (sprinklers, fire alarms, roof repair, etc. )

Policy Research Shop Juvenile Corrections/Weekenders Facility • Related purpose, minimal renovation costs • New Hampshire currently only has one juvenile corrections facility • Grafton County has no separate facility for “weekenders” • Relatively cheaper than other options, as infrastructure does not need to be changed

Policy Research Shop Community Outreach Center • Large open spaces can be used as classrooms, group counseling sessions, youth play areas • Renovation costs relatively low, structure easily adaptable for use as center • Significant cost is cost of running center

Policy Research Shop Farm-to-School Pilot Program • Connects the jail building to the local farmland • Educational program that benefits local farmers as well as members of community • Produce sales, agricultural programs for farmers • Potentially cost-neutral after renovations

Policy Research Shop Alternative Energy Research • Growing trend in sustainable renewable energy in US • New technologies, high skilled jobs, educational tools • Long-term technological benefits • Cost Neutral?

Policy Research Shop Complete Overhaul • Total renovation of the structure into something completely new • Can be done by the County or sold to private organization • Some ideas: restaurant, hotel, gym • Costs uncertain

Policy Research Shop Historical Preservation • Preserve just the old section, tear down newer section, and turn old section into historical monument • More popular during times of government surpluses, economic growth • Relatively cheap renovation costs

Policy Research Shop Level the Entire Facility • Total cost, including reseeding: $403, 932 • No recurring costs • No future benefits to the community

Policy Research Shop Conclusion • Find an alternative that will benefit the community but that is also reasonably cost effective and makes responsible, beneficial use of the county’s taxpayers dollars – Consider benefits and drawbacks of previous correctional facility renovations – Consider which alternatives are within reason for Grafton County Correctional Facility