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MS Department of Corrections announced Friday plans to reopen Delta Correctional Facility and consolidate the TVC program. Ya’ll, the TVC program encompasses the prisoners who are held in the work facility in Magee. Not only will the satellite building be vacant, but the prisoners work with the city on numerous projects (garage trucks, Crazy Day, Sportsplex, Fire department, trash pick up…the list goes on and on—a labor force.)
According to Mayor Dale Berry, “no one contacted the city about the decision. We had heard rumors but knew nothing until contacted by MageeNews.com with the press release.” “I have been talking to our legislators (Andy Gipson, Chris Caughman, and Noah Sanford) about the situation. I will pursue a replacement agency for the building but the loss of labor force will be a huge and costly problem for the city,” explained Berry.
The TVC in Magee provides prison labor for Magee, Mize, Smith County Supervisors garbage trucks, Mt Olive, New Hebron, Simpson Legion Lake, Prentiss Walker Lake, and Covington #3.
Magee works between 8-12 prisoners during the week. The city saves approximately $100,00 per year in labor.
The Mayor told me that the city has never been “written up” or had complaints concerning the condition of the facility. “We are good landlords,” stated Berry. The city charges no rent for the building. The TVC pays all utilities.
I’m just saying, who do we need to talk to? In my opinion, looks like a political deal and we got the short in of the stick. Read the press release.
“The consolidation will give the department most of the needed 65 employees to staff Delta, and most of the estimated $6.2 million needed to operate the new center. However, of that amount, at least $2 million will be new cost.”
On another note, our city sales tax collection for the months of June, July,August, September, October, and November were up by $26,900. Walmart reported the 2017 Christmas was stronger in sales than in 2016.
I imagine I’ll be back on my soapbox about the closing of the TVC. I think we all need to get on a soapbox.
