CONVERSION OF A.V. PRISON GETS SUPPORT CIVIC LEADERS SAY CHANGE WILL LESSEN CRIME IN AREA.

Byline: JIM SKEEN Staff Writer

LANCASTER -- A conversion of roughly half of the state prison in Lancaster to an inmate reception center will result in lower crime for the Antelope Valley, civic leaders said Friday.

The California State Prison-Los Angeles County is in the process of converting about half of its facilities into an inmate reception center. A reception center processes inmates entering into the state system, evaluates them and sends them to an appropriate facility.

Reception center inmates are at the prison for just two months to three months before being assigned to other lock-ups.

Civic leaders said the move will reduce the number of families that will relocate to the region to be near a family member who is in the prison. That in turn would reduce the number of prisoners who will want to relocate to the area after serving their sentences or after being released on parole.

``This is a significant change in policy and mission,'' said state Sen. George Runner, R-Lancaster. ``Our goal is to convert as much of the prison as we can.''

One portion of the prison has been converted into a reception center and a second area is expected to be completed in March. At present, the prison houses 4,369 men, 2,639 of whom are in maximum security; 391 are in minimum security; and 1,339 are reception-center inmates.

By March, the prison's inmate population is projected to be 4,467 -- 1,897, maximum security; 391, minimum; and 2,179, reception center.

``We are moving to make sure the transition moves smoothly,'' Warden Robert Wong said.

The prison's goal is to process and ship out reception-center inmates within 60 days, he said.

City council members from Lancaster and Palmdale joined with George Runner and Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, R-Lancaster, to announce the progress made in converting the prison population.

``It's going to make a great, positive impact,'' said Lancaster Councilman Ron Smith. ``This will affect our schools, our law enforcement, and our crime.''

George Runner said he would like to see more of the prison converted to a reception center. That, however, likely will have to wait until some of the governor's proposed reforms are implemented.

``We can't do too much more until we get more beds across the state,'' Runner said.

The governor is proposing a $10.9 billion prison-system reform package that includes adding 16,238 new beds to the state prisons and 45,000 new beds for jails.

james.skeen@dailynews

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