Standish wants economic stimulus of Gitmo transfer

The Washington Post takes a look at the proposal to move the inmates from Guantanamo Bay to a maximum security prison in Standish, Michigan that is currently slated to close due to state budget cuts and finds that the town generally supports the idea and needs the economic stimulus it would bring — even if the current guards don’t retain their jobs there.

The news that the Obama administration is considering moving some detainees at the military prison in Cuba to facilities within U.S. borders, including Standish and Fort Leavenworth, Kan., prompted Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm (D) and several state legislators Tuesday to voice their opposition. But residents here are most concerned about keeping some of the 340 jobs and other economic sustenance the prison provides, in a county where unemployment tops 17 percent.

A hand-painted sign outside the lockup begs “Save Our Town, Save Standish Max,” referring to the collection of buildings behind razor-topped fencing that contains 604 beds, usually reserved for maximum-security inmates. Throughout the quaint, somewhat ramshackle borough of 1,500 people, marquees and handmade posters outside churches, bars and Denise’s Beauty Barn carry the same message.

The article notes that the current guards at the prison may well not keep their jobs even if this proposal becomes a reality because the prison may be staffed with federal officers connected with the CIA or the Pentagon. But bringing in those officers and other personnel to run the prison would still be a major boost to local businesses.

The Gitmo plan is not the only possibility for keeping the prison open. Gov. Granholm has also pitched the possibility of using the prison to house inmates from other states to both California and Alaska.