Seattle's New Jail in a Neighborhood Near You?

Seattle city planners announced today four possible locations for the city's new jail. Funny thing about jails, even the strictest "law and order" folks and the strongest proponents of the penal system have no interest in a new jail being built in their neighborhood. Jails and the NIMBY folks go hand in hand...the chorus of "yes we need it, I just don't want to see it."

The neighborhoods that are sure to a quick education on political action, protest, and the prison-industrial complex in the coming months of city planning meetings? North Seattle, White Center, Interbay, and Highland Park. The possible new jail sites include: a driving range on Aurora, a 10-acre site near the First Avenue Bridge, a 12-acre site in South Seattle, and smackdab between Queen Anne and Magnolia on Armory Way. We can't wait to see folks from Magnolia's heads explode over that suggestion. There is no way that is going to happen! We know what that means, though: the new jail will end up in a poorer, less-white neighborhood. The neighborhoods that already house our hazardous waste sites, our dumps, and other necessary unseemlies.

"Prison Cell" by Flickr Contributor Still Burning

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By Abbey in News on May 7, 2008 12:05 PM

Comments [rss]

vanderleun

Here come the BANANAS!

Build. Absolutely. Nothing. Anywhere. Near. Anybody.

Simonian

Looks like I hit the jail lotto. Not the big prize. I mean it won't be across the street or anything. But 5 out of 6 numbers match. Eh. What are you going to do? Go out and advocate for sentencing reform? Yeah, right. That and a buck fifty will get you an americano at city hall.