County of Hawai`i Mayor Billy Kenoi today questioned the plan by Gov. Linda Lingle's administration to lay off the entire staff of Kulani Correctional Facility and close the prison without first discussing that decision with the communities that will be affected.

"The plans announced by prison officials to the Kulani staff this week have serious economic and public safety implications for the Big Island, and the governor owes it to this community to explain how she will mitigate the impact of this decision," Mayor Kenoi said. "We are deeply concerned about the welfare of the employees who will be put out of work, and Hawai`i Island residents have every reason to wonder what will become of the inmates now at Kulani prison."

"While Gov. Lingle clearly has the authority to close state facilities, she also has an obligation to address the impacts of her decisions. It troubles me that this alarming proposal was announced only to the prison staff, while the community and elected officials of Hawai`i Island have been excluded from the discussion."