Amador County - The Amador County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to adopt a resolution expressing board opposition to a proposal by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to close the Preston Youth Correctional Facility.

Preston is only the latest in a string of correctional facilities proposed for closure in response to budget cutback and scarce resources. As some state reports suggest, Preston is being considered because the number of employees at the facility far exceeds the number of wards assigned under their care.

Supervisor Richard Forster, who requested the item be added to the agenda, recused himself from the discussion because he is also an employee of CDCR. Before leaving, Forster did emphasize that this in a “potential closure” with no formal announcement yet made.

Board Chairman Brian Oneto said a complete closure would be “devastating” for Amador County. “This is something that concerns the Board of Supervisors greatly,” he said. “If it closes down it will have a pretty big impact.”

He added that Amador County has “enough problems without losing another major employer,” referring to the recent loss of two major auto sales businesses in Martell.

Supervisor John Plasse said “the untimely passing” of State Senator Dave Cox, a longtime defender of Preston, leaves the facility undefended on a state level. “His influence on keeping the facility open may be presenting a great reality…that it is a little easier to target Preston at this time.”

The board voted 4-0-1 to send a letter to CDCR Secretary Mathew Cate requesting “that all factors surrounding any closure of CDCR-DJJ facilities in Amador County be fully investigated before a decision is made.”

Supervisor Ted Novelli recalled the board’s ultimately successful campaign to keep the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp operational. He said “Amador County wanted to keep that camp open” and “we should do the same for Preston.”

Plasse asked to include a request in the letter that CDCR hold community hearings to discuss the local impacts of a potential closure.

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