Michigan News
Standish Max closes, future uncertain
AP
STANDISH (AP) — Standish Maximum Correctional Facility has closed, and it’s still uncertain whether it will reopen to house detainees from Guantanamo Bay.
The prison closed Saturday because of state budget cuts. At full capacity, it held 604 inmates. Administrative Assistant Rebecca Bailey said they’ve all been transferred to other institutions, as have most of the employees.
Standish Max is among several facilities under consideration to hold 229 suspected al-Qaida, Taliban and foreign fighters now jailed at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba. President Barack Obama has pledged to close the Gitmo lockup.
The Standish community is divided over hosting the detainees. Some residents favor it because of the jobs and economic growth it would bring. Opponents have said it would make the area a terrorist target.
The prison closed Saturday because of state budget cuts. At full capacity, it held 604 inmates. Administrative Assistant Rebecca Bailey said they’ve all been transferred to other institutions, as have most of the employees.
Standish Max is among several facilities under consideration to hold 229 suspected al-Qaida, Taliban and foreign fighters now jailed at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba. President Barack Obama has pledged to close the Gitmo lockup.
The Standish community is divided over hosting the detainees. Some residents favor it because of the jobs and economic growth it would bring. Opponents have said it would make the area a terrorist target.
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