Letter: $5 million jail study looks like negligence

In regards to “Ige seeks $5 million to study financing options for new Halawa jail” (Star-Advertiser, Dec. 23), I find the suggested appropriation of funds to be a question of gross negligence.

In bidding public projects, private contractors send out proposals, as noted by House Finance Chairwoman Rep. Sylvia Luke. Regarding financing, a government employee can surely figure this out. Also, this article omitted insight into private prison companies that build-to-suit. It doesn’t cost a dollar to read the cost-benefit studies on private versus public prisons, or to meet with these companies.

If the concern here is to really save money and create a modern, efficient system of incarceration in Hawaii, then due diligence absolutely includes meeting with the private sector. Again, this would not incur any additional cost to the state government.

At this point, it appears our governor is not acting in the best interests of his constituency.

Morgan Myrmo

Waikiki

Click here to read more Letters to the Editor.