Amador County – Layoff notices went out last week to employees of Preston Youth Correctional Facility, and transfers reportedly already have begun.

Ione City Manager Kim Kerr said notices arrived last week and transfers have begun. She said all Preston corrections officers reportedly will have a chance to transfer to other regional prisons, but support staff may not have the same opportunities.

CDCR agreed to another public meeting, at an undetermined date, at Evalyn Bishop Hall. Kerr hoped to get high level representation from CDCR, which has indicated it may send a public information officer. Kerr said she wanted people who had not attended one of the other two meetings to get the same information given before. Both were attended by Corrections Secretary Matthew Cate.

The Jackson hearing was called by Assemblywoman Alyson Huber, who in a Jan. 4 letter to constituents gave a “quick update on what my office knows about the proposed Preston closure and what will be happening in the near future.”

“As discussed at the public hearing in Jackson Dec. 8,” Huber “introduced Assembly Bill 8 to prohibit the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Facilities from closing any youth correctional facility during the six-month period following the effective date of the legislation.” The Assembly Rules Committee met Jan. 3 and did not take action on any bills. Huber said: “Once the Rules Committee refers the bill to a policy committee I will let you know how to submit letters of support and the hearing date for those interested in attending.”

As of late December, Huber said she is “no longer the Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee,” so she is “unable to set another public hearing. However, anyone can attend the hearing on AB 8,” and she will let people know as soon as that hearing date is set.

Huber said that last week, her “office was contacted by the Department of Corrections and made aware that layoff notices had been mailed. Most people should have received their notice by this time.”

She said “if impacted staff needs help or has any trouble getting questions answered, please feel free to contact my office for assistance.” She said she “will continue to keep everyone updated as things move forward.”

Kerr said Ione also received a copy of Amador County Supervisors’ Dec. 22 letter questioning the legality of the CDCR’s closure of Preston, calling it a possible violation of the California Environmental Quality Act. Kerr said city staff was not sure about the argument, but the city may contribute to a legal challenge, if asked to do so by the county.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.