Word from my hometown…

MONROE, WA : The Monroe Correctional Complex’s new IMU (Intensive Management Unit), which opens January 8th, is the first prison unit in the state to be certified as “green” by the U.S. Green Building Council. DOC officials believe it may be the first such cellblock in the nation. It cost $39.5 million to build and will hold 200 men. It may cost a little bit more to build, but over the life of the building it ends up costing less, as is the case with most green buildings.

Read Monroe prison gets “green” certification (Seattle PI)

Related: “Prison within prison” open in Monroe (Seattle Times)

Interestingly, the Times article makes no mention of the green features of the facility.