'Worst case' prison memo causes panic

A worst-case scenario memo from state Secretary of Public Safety and Corrections James LeBlanc to wardens at five prisons, including Bobby Tanner at Rayburn Correctional Center, has caused widespread panic in Washington Parish.

The memo was sent to Rayburn, David Wade Correctional Center in Homer, Avoyelles Correctional Center in Cottonport, J. Levy Debadie Correctional Center in Pineville and C. Paul Phelps Corrections Center in DeQuincy.

In the three-paragraph memo sent Thursday, LeBlanc told wardens to, "Proceed immediately in implementing a layoff for all positions at your institution."

LeBlanc attached a 16-step tentative layoff timeline "to affect a layoff on July 17, 2011 COB." Key steps in the memo include sending a general notice to employees and submitting a layoff plan to civil service officials on Tuesday, June 21.

Ryan Seal, director of the Washington Economic Development Foundation, told wpnewsblog he was aware of a story posted on a regional television station's website, but that he thought, "It (closing) is not a done deal. I believe this is something they have to do in the event of a worst-case scenario and a budget deal cannot be worked out."

The possible closures are the result of $27.5 million in budget cuts to the DOC and an ongoing battle between Gov. Bobby Jindal and state legislators.

Rayburn officials are currently eliminating 46 jobs to meet previously announced budget cuts. Should the budget impasse fail to be resolved, Washington Parish would lose 350 jobs on top of the previously announced 149 from Sitel's closing and 12 positions with the Bogalusa City Schools.

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)