It’s been July 21 since we heard from the Department of Homeland Security on the potential transfer of terrorist detainees to a proposed facility in the Pearlville area.  Today DHS notified County Sheriff Duesenberg we are being considered along with an existing prison in Standish, Michigan.  The Standish facility is unoccupied and can be made ready in time for the planned closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison.  According to DHS, additional capacity is needed beyond what Standish can handle, and 20 to 30 prisoners may be assigned to Pearlville.

If this happens, where will these prisoners be held?  There is no high-security detention facility in the Pearlville area.  If a prison is to be built, where would it be built and how would it be completed in time for the proposed closure of Gitmo?  During this morning’s announcement, Chief Burley and Sheriff Duesenberg did not seem too concerned about this question.  “We have a site in mind,” said Duesey, “and it can be ready pretty quickly.  We will make that announcement if and when DHS puts their blessing on it.”

To this reporter today’s announcement raises more questions than it answers.  Where is the mystery prison site?  Do we want international terrorists for neighbors?  What changes would this bring to our community?  Stay tuned folks.