Negotiators for the House and Senate reached an agreement Tuesday on a $125 million capital budget which includes $38 million for a new women’s prison.
The new women's prison is slated to be built in Concord, behind the current men’s prison.
Commissioner Wrenn with the Department of Corrections has sought a new women's prison for the last four state budgets. But this year, he says, he had the support of Governor Hassan, and both chambers.
We’re moving right ahead, and hopefully we’ll have somebody on board by the first of the year to do the architectural work.
Elliot Barry with New Hampshire Legal Assistance says he is working with Corrections to improve conditions at the women's prison in Goffstown, until a new prison opens.
The lawyer was representing New Hampshire’s female inmates in a lawsuit against the state. As of today, that case is stayed.