Thursday, June 1, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt's Call for Efficient Spending will Save Corrections $1 Million
JEFFERSON CITY–The Department of Corrections responded to Gov. Matt Blunt's call for greater efficiency in state government by conducting capital improvement projects in-house. By utilizing existing staff's expertise and knowledge in electronics, particularly the installation of new fiber optic systems at its facilities, the department will realize a savings of more than $1 million.
"I commend the Department of Corrections staff who took the initiative to find a more sensible way to conduct state operations at a significant cost savings to Missouri taxpayers," Blunt said. "A savings of this magnitude is a fine example of sensible fiscal management and commonsense improvements we are making within state government."
The project was the first time in the department's history that something of this magnitude had been done in-house. The first fiber optic system upgrade began at Moberly Correctional Center in 2005. Before the upgrade, the Moberly facility, which was built in the 1960s, had one of the department's worst communications infrastructures. Using existing staff and resources to do the work instead of outsourcing the project saved an estimated $270,000.
An upcoming project of the same nature, slated to begin at Farmington Correctional Center in July, will save approximately $500,000. Two additional correctional facilities are scheduled to receive fiber optic updates over the next fiscal year, bringing the total anticipated savings to well over $1 million.
The upgrades consist of replacing miles of old phone cable with new fiber optic cable, enhancing the facility's ability to maximize its communications infrastructure. The result is expanded capabilities, real-time data transfer, energy management, and energy waste elimination. Overall that equals better communications and enhanced public safety across the state. One of the most valuable features of the fiber optic systems allows centralized administrators to monitor and troubleshoot the system remotely, saving significant travel and time expenses.
For more information about the fiber optic project, call the Department of Corrections' Wanda Seeney at (573) 522-4902.
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