Discussions Begin On Prison-To-Homeless Facility Idea

A proposal by a city councilor and Democratic candidate for mayor to convert a Niantic prison into a “Life Advancement Center” for homeless people in southeastern Connecticut was sent to committee for discussion on Monday evening.

Michael Buscetto III asked for the item to be placed on the meeting’s agenda and referred to the Public Safety Committee, which he chairs. He said the former J.B. Gates Correctional Institute in Niantic could be converted into a regional facility providing “a more dignified and effective, better organized and coordinated, regional solution to the growing problem of homelessness in southeastern Connecticut.”

Councilor Wade Hyslop suggested that the proposal go before the Public Welfare Committee, chaired by city councilor and Democratic mayoral hopeful Michael Passero. Hyslop said he felt the question related more to this topic than public safety. City Councilor Rob Pero, a Republican candidate for mayor, said more discussion should take place regarding the issue.

“I think there’s a lot of discussion that needs to take place as to the amount of budget that needs to be looked at,” he said.

According to the prison’s website, it has operated as a minimum security correctional facility since 1981, though between 1992 and 1994 it was reclassified as a medium security prison with additions such as a perimeter fence topped with razor wire. The prison placed “a focus on education and addiction programming designed to support the successful community reintegration of the offender population.” It supported a population of 878 and staff of 288 as of January.

The Department of Corrections announced in April that the Niantic prison would close on June 1 due to a declining statewide inmate population and efforts to solve the state's budget crisis. The plan called for no layoffs, with staff to be sent to other facilities in the area, and inmates to be relocated to other prisons around the state.

“With no other announced plans for the sale or conversion of the Gates facility, this is the time for the region’s elected and appointed officials to come together to think and act regionally to address a challenge that is unarguably regional in scope,” Buscetto said in a position paper supporting the idea.

Buscetto proposes that the facility could accommodate up to 350 people and provide services such as medical care, food, educational resources, a temporary shelter, and job counseling. He proposes that funding would come from the 22 communities in New London County as well as state and federal resources, with the office of Rep. Joe Courtney researching other avenues. Buscetto is also proposing that the SEAT bus route be extended with at least two daily stops at the center.

“It is a facility that would provide privacy, dignity, opportunity, safety, comfort and, most important, temporary shelter for the region’s homeless,” the position paper reads.

Buscetto said that according to data provided by the New London Police Department, there were 688 passes issued for local homeless shelters in 2010, with 198 from New London. Of the remainder, 172 were from nearby towns, 142 were from other Connecticut towns, and 101 were from other states.

Carmelo Foti, an officer with the , said there is a need for more permanent housing stock and discussion of regional solutions. “People are homeless for many different reasons.  We must be cognizant of that recognize that there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution,” Foti said in an e-mail. “But this is a step in the right direction and we welcome the dialogue. We hope to fully participate in thoughtful exploration with all concerned.”

“Clearly, any focus on the homeless population in the New London area is good news, especially if it seeks to sincerely provide needed assistance and support, and works toward a goal of helping to eliminate homelessness. And, being a regional problem, a regional solution would be the best,” said Rev. Michel Belt of the in an e-mail. The church does extensive work with the homeless, including the operation of an overnight homeless shelter.

Belt said the church is currently looking to of the in the . Belt that while Life Advancement Center idea is worth considering, it will require further investigation in several areas. He said these aspects include how adequate the facilities are for a non-incarcerated population, how such a facility would affect the operation of the Homeless Hospitality Center, and whether the state or East Lyme would agree to the idea.

Speakers at the public meeting expressed caution or criticism. Beverly Herbert of Groton said the city needs to take the state of the buildings into effect, saying other prisons have had issues such as mold or asbestos. David Hayes of New London was skeptical that the 22 communities would all agree to a single plan.

“There is potential there, but it means an awful lot of work,” he said.