A citizens group estimates the cost of closing the Walkerton Jail at 4.7 million dollars in 2011 and 1.3 million dollars per year in the following years.
The group analyzed costs in three areas; transportation costs of 1.3 million, one time severance costs 2.5 million and other costs 900 thousand dollars.
Brockton Councillor and Committee spokesperson Chris Peabody says the Walkerton Save Our Jail committee completed the study after the government refused requests from the jail guard union and Brockton to reveal the true costs of the closure.
Peabody claims the government will not save money by closing the Walkerton Jail.
He says the government failed to complete its homework before deciding to close the facility.
He says it is appalling that the government is willing to spend 1.8 million dollars to move 46 employees out of Walkerton through either moving or severance packages.
The wide ranging study examined variables that included transport costs, moving costs, severance costs, training costs, new staff hires, lost capital improvements to the jail, court security costs and decommissioning.
Peabody says the committee intends to go to a Walkerton all candidates meeting next week, and demand that MPP Carol Mitchell justify the closure.
He says the other Huron Bruce candidates will also be asked to weigh in on the planned closure of the Walkerton jail.
