These seven prisons are the most recent additions to a growing list of small prisons that have recently been shut down by the Department.

"The small prison field units have been an important part of the heritage of this Department. Many of our senior managers have developed their professional skills working at these facilities," said Deputy Secretary Dan Stieneke. "Although unfortunate, efficiency needs dictate that we move in a direction of larger more economical prison institutions. As we make this change, we are keenly aware of the personal hardships on affected staff and are dedicated to doing everything we reasonably can to offer these experienced correctional staff members positions within the Department."

Personnel staff spent much of this year preparing for the closures. With help from the divisions, they were able to freeze vacant positions in order to have jobs available for the employees affected by the closures. They then surveyed the employees to determine their wishes and where they would be willing to work. Don Rouse, employee relations specialist, said their goal was to keep the employees in their same classification and as close to their previous location as possible.

"For the most part, it’s been a success," Rouse said. "Out of more than 850 positions, there were only 12 people that we couldn’t offer positions to because they didn’t meet the minimum qualifications."

While staff at all seven prisons handled the closing of their facilities differently, saying good-bye and locking the doors for good was difficult for them all. Included in this issue are the stories of two of the facilities and how they dealt with the closings. u