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Lawmaker proposes more beds for state prison in Gunnison
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KSLNewsRadio
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah lawmakers are now considering adding more beds to one of the state’s prisons.
State Representative Karianne Lisonbee submitted a request to lawmakers to budget $130 million in taxpayer money to add just under 800 beds to the state prison in Gunnison.
She said both the Gunnison and Salt Lake prisons are collectively sitting at 91% capacity right now, and if they do nothing, they’re expected to be full sometime in the next few years.
Lisonbee said expanding Gunnison would solve the capacity problem for the next 10 years.
Lawmakers will make a final decision on this when they finalize the budget towards the end of the Legislative Session.