Story Published:
Apr 23, 2009 at 3:54 PM MDT
Story Updated:
Apr 23, 2009 at 10:52 PM MDT
BILLINGS, Mont. - Hardin officials say they want to fill the city's vacant jail with the prisoners now housed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, but Montana's senior U.S. senator says he opposes the idea.
The development authority in Hardin, a rural outpost of 3,400 people that borders the Crow Indian Reservation, built the $27 million, 460-bed jail two years ago. The plan was to run the jail privately and contract with outside jurisdictios for prisoners.
With the jail still empty and its construction loans in default, the City Council says it could be used to house Guantanamo's 240 terror suspects while they await trial.
A spokesman for U.S. Sen. Max Baucus says the Democrat will oppose the attempt because he does not want suspected terrorists brought into Montana.
The following is a statement Baucus sent to NewsChannel 5:
(Washington D.C.) Montana Senator Max Baucus today declared that bringing terrorists to Montana would put residents at risk and that he would halt any proposal that would jeopardize citizens’ safety.
The Two Rivers Detention Center in Hardin is looking into housing prisoners previously held at Guantanamo Bay.
In response to this proposal, Baucus sent a letter to Gary Smith, executive director of the Two Rivers Authority, saying that he would help find a solution to the Center’s economic troubles, but not at the expense of Montanans’ safety.
“My number one job is to keep Montanans safe, and bringing terrorists into our state is a clear and present danger to everyone who lives here,” Baucus said. “I understand the need to create jobs, but we’re not going to bring Al-Qaeda to Big Sky Country – no way, not on my watch.”
In the letter, Baucus cited numerous concerns with bringing the prisoners to Hardin, including security risks and overwhelming justice officials.
“First, if these detainees were to be relocated in the Hardin Facility, there would be significant community security issues. These detainees are considered some of the most dangerous people in the world. …… Second, those accused but not yet charged of war crimes that are housed in a Montana facility would then fall within the jurisdiction of our Montana Federal District Courts, where resources already are precious. Montana’s three federal district court judges already have the fifth busiest trial docket in the nation,” Baucus wrote.
Baucus also said that he understands the economic need to fill the prison, and he would “work in every way” to find occupants for the jail.
“I understand your need to fill this empty facility and the financial drain it is causing to your community, it should not be done at the expense of doing what is right for Montana. My office will work in every way to help support your efforts to find occupants for the Hardin Detention facility that will also be compatible with the needs and safety of our Montana communities,” the letter stated.
According to news reports, the majority of prisoners held in Guantanamo are linked with Al-Qaeda or the Taliban.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
