Gov. Little asks for $7.4 million to expand St. Anthony Work Camp
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ST. ANTHONY — The governor wants the Idaho Department of Correction to expand the St. Anthony Work Camp and has asked for money to do it.
In his budget proposal, Gov. Brad Little recommended a one-time $7.4 million building fund to add a 100-bed expansion to the camp. Lincoln Elementary School in St. Anthony is still under consideration to house the project.
“The expansion will provide additional housing for a growing offender population and provide offenders paid work experience through contracted work and public service projects with government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private employers,” Marissa Morrison, a spokeswoman for the Governor’s Office, told EastIdahoNews.com.
In a previous interview, Idaho Department of Correction Director Henry Atencio said IDOC proposed purchasing the abandoned school to the Board of Correction to mitigate the state’s overcrowded prisons.
Atencio blamed the overcrowding on Idaho’s growth and the opioid epidemic.
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“We’re one of the fastest growing states in the country. The opioid epidemic has hit us as well and you’re just seeing more and more people being sent to prison as well. We have to find a way to respond to that,” he said.
Fremont County Superintendent Byron Stutzman said previously that the St. Anthony Work Camp has been a good part of the community.
“The St. Anthony Work Camp currently has a 276-bed capacity and provides low-risk, minimum security inmates vocational work project opportunities,” Morrison said.
The Idaho Department of Correction estimates the total cost to purchase and remodel Lincoln Elementary to be around $7.8 million. The value of the property itself is appraised at $262,300.
The Fremont County School Board voted to put the school up for sale in July and bidding opened in November. Stutzman said they have not received any bids.
Morrison said Little’s proposed budget will be voted on in the coming weeks.
IDOC spokeswoman Ammie Mabe said the Department of Correction has yet to make a decision on whether or not to purchase the property. They have until April 15.