Private Prison in Hudson

Cornell is trying to build a 1,200 bed women's private prison in Hudson, one that the state doesn't need. It's up to the voters to decide whether it will happen.

Laura Moreland likes the way the small town of Hudson looks with its familiar faces.

But her views could soon change if a proposed 1,250-bed women's prison moves into town.

"I think we need to open our eyes," Moreland said. "Hudson's a cute little town."

Hudson's board of trustees unanimously voted to annex 340 acres into town limits Wednesday. About 126 acres will be used for the prison facility, said Joe Racine, town administrator.

Moreland and about five other people formed Citizens Against the Hudson Prison to educate residents on what can happen to the town if it comes.

And changes are happening.

Cornell Companies, Inc., a private prison company, won the bid through the state Department of Corrections in 2006 to build a women's prison in Hudson. Cornell officials approached the landowner who then went through the process to annex the land. The final step is to approve it for industrial use so the facility can be built.Greeley Tribune