County's unused jail a big hit with Hollywood
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PORTLAND, Ore. – Multnomah County has never used the taxpayer-funded $60 million Wapato Jail in North Portland, but Hollywood has found a use for it.
Producers of the web series, "The Record Keeper," love the spacious floor plan and the top-notch amenities. The jail, that's never been used as one, has a kitchen, office space and a lot more to make movie magic.
The 55 crew members look so happy and free, because they are. The photographs of the "inmates" on the wall aren't mug shots at all; instead, they're publicity head shots of the actors.
Multnomah County started building the jail in the 1990s to hold 500 prisoners, but by the time it was ready in 2004, the sentencing rules changed. Crime was down, and the only people who need it now carry cameras and scripts.
Dorm 8 never got used to house inmates, but the entire cast and crew of "The Record Keeper" found it's the perfect space to have lunch.
Producers rent the jail by the day. The county gets paid back for utilities, but taxpayers pay everything else - $300,000 a year to operate what's basically become a fake jail.
Is there anything else the building could be used for?
"Both the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and the Portland Police Bureau have used it for training," said county property manager Mark Gustafson. "If any of your viewers are in the market for a 170,000 square foot jail facility, have them call us."
Movie producers can use the jail so cheaply because the Oregon Film Board wants their business.
The county got about $12,000 last year – pennies compared to the $300,000 to maintain the facility. And until someone wants to buy it, there's no end in sight.
Wow, what a surprise! Crime in Portland is down? Coulda fooled me! The jail exists and should be used for what it was built for: to house pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates.
@jpk
 Crime (violent crime at least) has been declining for twenty years. It is just lazy to assume something without looking at the evidence.Â
After 35 years in the law enforcement profession, I would never, ever, assume anything!
@jpk Volunteering for a tax hike to pay for it?
Nah! Whatever money was raised would be diverted to some other extremely necessary project, from a bridge to more bike lanes!
I thought they couldn't use it due to funding issues with the Sheriff's Department. And they were also talking of closing the Inverness jail as well. I have never heard any police force say crime was down since I moved to Portland in 1994. But then history is a pliable record which is often manipulated by those currently in positions of power. It would be nice to get some honest and capible people into our city's government and get all these special interest groups out! Gresham is building another new police station. Law enforcement is vital , but I think we are over-spending on it now with a false belief that it is preventing crime.
Here's an idea? Use it for a homeless shelter! Just think of all the help it would give to those that are seriously working towards improving their lives and situation. Most employers will not hire someone that is living on the streets! But they will hire those in shelters! I have been though this personally and know this as fact! Think about it, instead of draining our limited resources on an empty building, put it to a positive use! Do something that is actually beneficial to our city!
Wasn't this the prison that Kitzhaber forced upon Portland at the end of his first dictatorship? Just another great idea from a burnt out, crazy politician.
@MCÂ Was it? Â Got a link or somethin'?
Nice to know our 80Mil was not a total waste and we can support the uber rich elite in Hollywood with it...
@FreedomRocks Stupid comment.
I have to wonder if the " for profit " prison systems in other states would be interested in buying or leasing this facility. As it is, taxpayees in Multnomah County are getting hosed.
@danoseknows Most of the "for profit"prison companies just come in and operate an existing prison. Actually building and maintaining a prison is a money loser, so these crafty profiteers hose the taxpayers worse then the existing system. (Ohio was supposed to save 40-50% by using "for profit" prison operators, but ended up paying 115% of the original budget (cost overruns, dontcha know) as well as $11million in civil rights violations and other inmate lawsuits to date with over $25 pending.)
Portland throws homeless veterans in its torturous jails for the make-believe "CRIME" of sleeping outside while it STEALS $300,000 a year from its residents to maintain this boondoggle ....
They should use it as a shelter for homeless vets. Not a bad idea.
"Â And until someone wants to buy it, there's no end in sight. "
Hummm . .  Oregon . .  Tax incentives . . Jobs . . . Green . . .
Hello; Load Free Realty.  I want to make an offer.  $10,000 Total.  I want to run a solar facility.  I'll need a domed skylight with retractable roof.   I'll need tax incentives; say property and income tax forgiveness for 15 years.   I'll provide jobs.   (That should create interest. . . )
Oh, business name . . .ah . . How about "Summertime Suntan" ? Â . . . . Â Â Wow . . this could fly. Â Â
ÂAnd Multnomah whines about overcrowding. Why not use this place? Maybe City Hall could be there. No need for fancy furniture. And look! You have your own toilet and cot right in your cubicle!Â
@washcomom Â
Plush!
"Crime was down, and the only people who need it now carry cameras and scripts."
KATU - do you read your splash page? Â Â
@Lava Sus Manos Apparently you don't have to have subject knowledge or at least investigate the facts to be a journalist anymore...
I have investigated your statement and find it to be correct.
..... and if government were run more like a business than a charity .......... Â
Our elected officials are obviously not the least bit acquainted with profit and loss, just win or lose. Makes you wonder if someone on the Oregon Film Board has connections to PPB, the mayor's office or DOC.
Yet another opportunity to make a wrong move less expensive. We need someone with some business savy in government. We're all getting tired of this same old same old going on decade after decade.  Â
@Hoser Ignatz But government ISN'T a business, so it CAN'T be run like one. Do you actually expect the fire department or police department to turn a profit?
@Nelson Muntz @Hoser Ignatz No but I do expect them to treat my tax dollars as if it were their own and not waste a dime of it. There are no consequences for incompetence in government and wasteful spending like private business because they can just take more money from us if they screw up or waste it. There needs to be a downside to wasting our money and I think the current budget woos around the country are a good start...
@Nelson Muntz Fire departements are a true community service that saves lives and reduces property losses. I don't mind paying for that.
Police departments get help from the offenders they prosecute through fines, penalties and interest. That's all money potentially coming in. A good thing. Hospitals have been operating like this for years.
Terms like profit are reworded with the word excess or positive balance.
The concept is the same, the application is different. Yes, it can be done!!
@Nelson Muntz @Hoser Ignatz No, it is not a business and a profit is not required. But it would be appreciated by the tax payers if it could at least minimize the costs and loses.
And, this is why I never vote yes on any tax increases or bonds.
@Len Karpinski Good -- then you won't be a person on here who always whines about prisoners being released from jail too early and how there isn't enough money to fund police, fire, etc.  One less whiner makes life better for those of us who get so sick of hearing the double-speak.
@Sundowner @Len Karpinski You can say that with a straight face knowing how much tax money Sammy wasted while in charge? Anybody need a $200,000 dollar toilet for the bums or maybe lock up 10-20 more bad guys for a year.
@FreedomRocks @Dr. Rawdog I find it totally justifiable.  I'd much rather see a decent bathroom in the downtown area (people besides the homeless actually use them -- ever been out with a little kid in tow?) than a line of porta-potties.  There's a difference between having them near soccer fields vs having them downtown.  Every major city I've been to in the last two decades has public bathrooms that at least appear decent.
@Sundowner @FreedomRocks Ya sorry that was a little much but just struggling with anyone who can justify $200,000k in tax dollars for a toilet for the homeless in today's tough times...
@Dr. Rawdog @FreedomRocks @Sundowner @Len Karpinski You probably don't know this but most homes come with one built-in so there's no need for a Porta potty...
@FreedomRocks Before I come back with a "stupid comment"?  You lost my respect there.  There's nothing stupid about my comments just because you don't agree with them.  And people wonder why there's divisiveness in this country?  You're part of the problem, Mr. Freedom. Â
@Sundowner @FreedomRocks @Len Karpinski Ha do I know my libs or what...check out my response I just posted about them being good enough for our kids and their parents at every school in the state...
@Sundowner @Len Karpinski Oh and before you come back with a stupid comment about how that is not good enough keep in mind there is one at every school in the state for athletes and parents coming to watch games so if it is good enough for me and my kids it is good enough for a bum...
@FreedomRocks @Len Karpinski Just on the aesthetics alone, do you really want downtown Portland having porta-potties dotting every third corner?  I sure don't.  Â
@Sundowner @FreedomRocks @Len Karpinski No you proved my point out how financially retarded libs are. Why would anyone in their right mind spend $200,000 for a toilet for bums when a porta potty could be rented for 100 years for that cost. Have the local PSU art students paint so it looks nice and you just saved the tax payers a fortune...
@FreedomRocks @Len Karpinski Ta da!  You just proved my point.  You don't want to spend $200,000 on a public rest room (ever try finding one in downtown Portland??), but you don't want the homeless peeing in some doorway alcove. Â
Why is it not a homeless shelter.??
@uknow2 Perhaps the occupiers could move in...
It does seem a total waste of tax money, and will continue forever. Someone needs to take ownership of this mistake. I wonder how many other places do this?
@Just Lookin @uknow2 Here -- http://www.cocc.edu/DRCI/Facts-About-Deer-Ridge-Correctional-Institution/ -- scroll down to the "Description - Medium Security" -- it's been sitting empty for almost 6 years.  That's one of the other places that do this kind of thing.
@Sundowner @Just Lookin @uknow2 Thank you for the information. Amazing!
Once again government has made a bad decision that is draining our tax dollars.
It isn't that crime is down and the jail isn't needed. It's that the cities and counties can't afford to staff it.
And now we get to subsidize the movie industry in the weird notion that they somehow add to the economy.
@RalphCramden Yeah, I caught that load of merde too.Â
The fact that it's never been used for its intended purpose has much less to do with crime rates and sentencing guidelines than the availible funding.Â
Leave it to K2, I suppose.Â
@MarkKpic @RalphCramden You're absolutely right.  People whine about crime but aren't willing to pony up the money to pay to house the criminals.  It reminds me of a comment by Dr. Rawdog (right above your comment here) I just read on another story.  Republicans want to be tough on crime and lock 'em all up/throw away the key, but their motto is "Small government and low taxes"....can't have it both ways. Â
@MarkKpic @FreedomRocks I didn't claim to be non-partisan.  I'm a Democrat, very liberal on social issues (pro-choice and pro helping those who need it most).  BTW, I'm just curious -- did you give up commenting on the Yakima site (which is a totally dead site)?  I may have gotten myself IP banned there because I called people out when they were complaining about where the dang dump is located.  Don't want to live next to a land fill?  Don't buy property next to a land fill.  Oops -- I think I went a bit off-topic there.  =)Â
@Sundowner @MarkKpic @FreedomRocks LOL... Yeah... Your posts definately paint you as an ardent non-partisan.Â
I've been registered as an NPV since the day I turned 18. My voting record demonstrates quite clearly that I do not hold any ties to either party.Â
@MarkKpic @FreedomRocks Unlike you, I do NOT believe my party has all the answers.  I'm a bit more centrist than to feel that way.  Now what was the point of your comment other than to try to make me look partisan?
@Sundowner @MarkKpic @RalphCramden If you sincerely believe that 'your party' has all the answers, you're a BIG part of the problem.Â
@FreedomRocks @MarkKpic @RalphCramden You didn't answer my question, which was very specific.Â
@Sundowner @FreedomRocks @MarkKpic @RalphCramden I have several family members on the government hand out system. All of capable of holding down a good jobs and paying their own way.
One of them even has a Masters degree in nursing but hasn't worked in 10 years because she doesn't have to with the government assistance and she's willing to live the lifestyle she can afford with that.
My immediate family is any representation of the kind of people in the welfare system then yes I think we need to be a little stricter about how we hand out our hard-earned tax dollars.
I have no problem helping those who truly need our assistance. I have a big problem with those that are just too $$%$ing lazy to work...
@FreedomRocks @MarkKpic @RalphCramden The problem arises when two differing philosophies try to define "waste".  I surmise you're a 'conservative', so try to explain this to me, if you don't mind.  As a conservative you're all for cutting welfare benefits, getting single moms back to work (you likely complain about the number of kids a welfare recipient has).  And yet you probably support the notion of cutting funding to Planned Parenthood, the #1 provider of birth control in the country.  Do you see the hypocrisy in this?
@Sundowner @MarkKpic @RalphCramden You can if you get rid of the government waste...
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@Dr. Rawdog @RalphCramden Not sure your link really supports your argument some crimes like murder are down other crimes are up and the difference from 2008-2011 is not much...
Well,,,, that's wierd insn't it?