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CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming lawmakers must decide whether to repair the crumbling state prison in Rawlins or spend even more to build a new facility.
Shifting soils have caused cracking in the prison walls. Engineers say options range from spending $65 million to repair the existing prison up to $195 million to build a new one.
House Speaker Kermit Brown says the state should cut its losses and build a new prison north of Rawlins. Brown is co-chairman of a legislative committee that will issue a report on the prison after a meeting in early October.
Brown and other officials say the full Legislature needs to address the issue early next year. He says the state may have to issue bonds to pay for the project.
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