Sacramento – 10th District Assemblymember Alyson Huber said last week she will continue to fight a decision by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation CDCR) to close the historic Preston Youth Correctional Facility in Ione.

Fresh off her successful bid for a second term in office, Huber chaired a Joint Legislative Audit Committee last Thursday in which she looked to compel the CDCR to answer questions about how this decision was made and how they will mitigate impacts of the closure.

Over 100 Amador County citizens traveled to the hearing in buses jointly commissioned by CDCR employee Richard Forster and the Jackson Rancheria.

Should the closure go forward, hundreds of Amador County citizens would be forced to look for work in other areas of the state.

Huber said in an announcement after the hearing that it “provided a narrow glimpse into the Department’s process, but we still have a lot more to uncover.”

“I will continue to ask questions of the Department and look for opportunities for the public to voice their concerns since they weren’t allowed that chance prior to the closure announcement,” she said.

Huber said there were no economic impact reports or other evidence provided to justify the closure. She focused on the high standard of care and low recidivism rates Preston has long been known for, and compared its closure to a school district closing its best school without justification.

Witnesses at the hearing included Drew Soderborg, Senior Fiscal and Policy Analyst in the Legislative Analyst’s Office, Scott Kernan, Undersecretary at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and Rachael Rios, Chief Deputy Secretary of the Division of Juvenile Justice.

“I want Preston to stay open to help protect the public and keep badly needed jobs in the community, but even if the facility is one day to be slated for closure it has to be after a process that fully involves the community and prevents economic harm to the community,” said Huber.

In an interview last week with the Lodi News –Sentinel about her goals for her second term, Huber said she will “continue to focus on issues that affect the district.” She said she looks forward to discussing solutions with Governor-elect Jerry Brown and the new legislature.

Another community meeting on the planned closure will be annoucned shortly for December.

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