The Standish Maximum Correctional Facility will close by October 31st unless another state or the federal government agrees to lease the prison, the state Department of Corrections announced Tuesday.
The closure of the Standish prison has been delayed for months as state officials tried to find somebody to lease the facility.
But the closure could only be delayed for so long, said Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Russ Marlan.
"It costs us about $2.7 million a month to keep that facility open," said Marlan. "And we just fiscally can't afford to continue with it in operation."
According to Marlan, the state is still waiting to hear back from other agencies that might want to lease the Standish prison.
That could push the closing date back past October 31 - or eliminate it all together.
If the prison closes, between 80 and 90 guards could lose their jobs - while numerous others would transfer to other facilities.
