Old jail could present new solution

An aging, little used prison facility could be revived under a proposal by the Nutter Administration to help relieve prison overcrowding. But the Philadelphia Councilwoman representing the area is vows she’ll fight the move.

An aging, little used prison facility could be revived under a proposal by the Nutter Administration to help relieve prison overcrowding. But the Philadelphia Councilwoman representing the area is vows she’ll fight the move.

Listen: [audio: 090421tmprison.mp3]

Holmesburg Prison was replaced in 1995 by the Curran Fromhold Correctional Facility because of it’s dilapidated condition, city officials point out there are still just over 200 inmates at Holmesburg.

Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Everitt Gillison says the city is proposing temporary prison pods to house 600 inmates.

Gillison: Put the temporary facilities on the inside the walls that will allow us as population goes up and goes down provide a level of service that we know we can actually maintain.

Councilwoman Joan Krajewski is against the proposal. She cites safety concerns, and points out there’s a charter school next to the prison.

Krajewski: The neighborhood and the residents will certainly not support it.

Gillison says the administration is still reviewing the propsal at this point.