(Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz has sent a letter to the Governor)...The letter urges Gavin Newson to reconsider any plans that would include closing Calipatria State Prison.

In the May Revision of the California Budget, the Governor announced that another state prison will be closed this year. He did not specify which one. The Congressman wants to ensure it is not the Calipatria State Prison. In his letter, Ruiz emphasized the devastating economic impact such a decision would have on Imperial Valley, where unemployment is the highest in the state already. At 16 percent, the jobless rate is more than triple the state average The Congressman called on the Governor to work collaboratively with him and local leaders to find alternative solutions that does not jeopardize livelihood or increase economic hardship for the region's residents.