The Susanville City Council met in closed session on July 6th, to discuss existing litigation related to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s announced closure of the California Correctional Center by June 26th, 2023.
According to City Administrator Dan Newton, at the end of June, in a last-minute trailer bill to the Governor’s Budget, Penal Code was modified to allow the arbitrary closure of CCC by June 30, 2023, taking away the right of citizens to have any voice in the selection of a prison for closure and eliminating any environmental review prior to closing any prisons or juvenile facilities.
“When the State got caught not following the laws, it decided to just change the law, instead of doing what was right. Anyone who understands what the state has done should be in awe of the state’s blatant disregard for what is fair and just,” said Newton.
At the July 6th, meeting the Susanville City Council directed staff to ‘continue to explore legal mechanisms to keep the facility open and operational, while simultaneously working to open a dialog with state representatives regarding the future of the facility.’
“The city remains extremely concerned for the employees at CCC who are struggling through the uncertainty of this situation and also for the economic impact the proposed closure will have on our community.”
Susanville Mayor Quincy McCourt added that, “The city’s whole focus has been on protecting our citizens, valuable jobs and this amazing community.”
“When the system we rely on has too many angles and creates loopholes to justify and defend its behavior, the law loses its point. Locally a main priority is looking out for those who have made Lassen County their home and of those who wish to remain. We will maintain focus and explore all options.”
