Markkanen promotes Camp Kitwen as regional jail

LANSING — State Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock, is advocating Houghton County acquire a closed prison facility in Painesdale and convert it into a regional jail for the Western Upper Peninsula.

Markkanen said he recently set up a meeting between county and state officials regarding the acquisition of Camp Kitwen, a low-security facility that closed in 2009.

“It is my hope that Houghton County commissioners will consider purchasing Camp Kitwen from the state to use as a jail facility and provide for a long-term inmate facility for the Western U.P.,” Markkanen said in a statement.

He argued that turning the facility into a multi-county jail for the western U.P. would not only ease overcapacity in the Houghton County Jail, but potentially expand services available to the region. He said this could include a possible mental health facility for prisoners or even residents in the region.

“Providing services will help reduce expenses long-term and is also the right thing to do for reducing our inmate population safely,” Markkanen said.

Camp Kitwen was built in 1991 and housed the lowest security prisoners as they neared their release dates, according to Markkanen.

Markkanen’s proposal is based on a 2016 state law that allows municipalities to acquire property for less than market value if it’s intended for public use.

The state listed the camp and surrounding 84 acres for sale March 28, according to Markkanen.

The property is appraised for $75,000, but a municipality could acquire the property for less.

“This former jail facility is accessible to all six counties in the Western Upper Peninsula and prisoners wouldn’t have to be transported back and forth either downstate or miles away,” Markkanen said. “By opening a facility where it is needed, we have an opportunity to create more jobs. Surrounding counties would be able to share this facility, house inmates and use additional resources at the location, alleviating costs of operations and reduce the expense to taxpayers.

“It is my belief that purchasing this property would be a win-win for Houghton County and the entire Western U.P.”

—Richard Jenkins