State budget cuts claim camp 31

By JIM TALBERT\Staff
TAZEWELL – State budget cuts have directly impacted Tazewell County.
Camp 31 at Gratton will be closed under Governor Tim Kaine’s plan to cut $973.6 million from the state budget. The cuts are in response to anticipated shortfall in state revenues.
Kaine announced the cuts Oct. 9 and with the exception of public safety and education they impact all state agencies. In addition to camp 31, 21 other corrections facilities across the state will be closed and 570 positions eliminated.
The closure of camp 31 will result in 22 employees being laid off. The 130 inmates at the facility will be transferred to other facilities around the state where they are vacant beds.