Stoffa Supports Building New Jail OUTSIDE of Our Neighborhood Instead of Expanding in the Middle of the West Ward

Below is an article from the Morning Call reporting that our County Executive, John Stoffa, not only supports the development of the proposed rehab and work release facility outside of Bethlehem to reduce addiction on the buy-side of the open-air drug market, but he also favors a proposal to build a new facility to house inmates outside of the West Ward on a greenfield in Gracedale.  Above all, Stoffa has emphasized the absolute imperative to expand ASAP, as the jail is over-crowded, and the population is likely to grow. He has put six possible options before County Council for consideration, the worst of which is expanding the current jail in our neighborhood, and the best of which is building a new facility in Gracedale with 1000 beds, while reserving the jail in our neighborhood for holding only those awaiting trial and sentencing.

Please read this article--it is full of detailed information about while prison expansion is needed. We need to work together with Stoffa as a community of residents and let him know that we are developing a comprehensive strategic plan for reducing open-air drug markets and that moving the jail to Gracedale is an important component in relieving the burden on our neighborhood:

Morning Call Article by Nicole Radzievich on Stoffa's Urging County Council to Adopt Prison Expansion Plan