Hacienda Development - is it a Prison or a Group Home?
By Mike Rhodes

A controversy has developed over plans to convert property in northwest Fresno into a privately operated correctional facility/group home. The plan, to convert the aging Hacienda Hotel into a facility where about 400 residents would live, was discussed at a Tuesday, February 26 hearing at Fresno City Hall.

The project, which is proposed by Mental Health Systems, Inc, is supported by many people who believe in drug rehabilitation programs. Speaker after speaker at last nights meeting encouraged the City Council to give people a second chance. Testimony was given by numerous people who have gone through programs similar to what MHS has proposed for this site. MHS themselves described their vision for the Hacienda project: “Our vision is to take the Hacienda, currently an abandoned property, redevelop it, and turn it into a jewel of which all of Fresno can be proud. Our project will help with housing needs in the Fresno community, bring jobs to the community, and help women from the Fresno area to successfully reintegrate into their community.

Opponents of the proposal fell generally into three categories. Many of the neighbors in the vicinity of the project did not want the facility located at the Hacienda because they were concerned about the impact the project would have on the area. Several neighbors complained that traffic would increase, the people visiting inmates at the facility might be involved with drugs or other illegal activities, and that the Addams Neighborhood (where this project would be located) does not need or want a prison. Several speakers suggested that if this type of facility is needed, why not locate it in another part of town, like north Fresno which is more wealthy. People making this argument, which was heard several times at the hearing, said that the Addams Neighborhood has enough problems - “we don’t need a prison to add to an already difficult situation.”

Another group of opponents argued that opening a privately run prison in the middle of Fresno was not a good way to resolve the over crowding problems at the State Correctional Facilities in California. They presented a petition, signed by thousands of women inmates, saying that they do not want a facility like the one being proposed to be approved.

The third argument against accepting the proposal was more of a procedural argument. Several people, including an appearance by Fresno County Board of Supervisor member Phil Larson, complained that insufficient notice was given to neighbors to discuss this important issue. Most of the people making this argument wanted to have more time before a decision was made.

At the end of the 3+ hour public hearing the Fresno City Council voted 4-3 to extend the discussion on this issue for another 30 days. Below is a video with excerpts of some of the speakers from the Hacienda hearing. For an earlier story on this issue, see: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/01/31/18476199.php

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