BURLEY — State Sen. Denton Darrington, R-Declo, told Cassia County commissioners a federal prison in the county would bring a steady string of federal dollars and from a distance may not look much different than a large dairy.

During a visit with commissioners on Monday Darrington addressed the county’s efforts to site a federal prison near the geothermal plant near Raft River.

Cassia and Minidoka county officials are paying former U.S. Sen. Larry Craig’s lobbying firm, New West Strategies, to lure a medium security 1,152-bed prison, which could supply between 300 and 350 new jobs to the area with average yearly salaries of $47,000 to $58,000.

Darrington said a prison would bring both good and bad to the county, but would be positive for the community overall.

Commissioner Paul Christensen said he attended a recent Malta City Council meeting and the reception to the idea was mixed but the council definitely wants to be included in the decisions.

“People think a whole lot of inmates would end up living in the community and I don’t think that would be the case,” Darrington said. “I think for Malta and Raft River schools it would be a good association. The federal dollars would never be in doubt.”

Darrington said it would also bring in money for road repairs to the rural area and come with a major payroll. Workers at the facility would all be college-educated and need area housing, he added.

Darrington said there are nine empty prisons in Michigan that could be put to use but ultimately it will come down to a political decision and whether federal authorities decide to go with a “green” project, with a geothermal site like the one in Raft River fitting that bill.

“But you will be competing with other elements out there,” Darrington said.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons does not currently operate a prison in Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Washington or eastern Oregon.

Darrington, who is chairman of the state Senate Judiciary & Rules Committee, said the state’s prison population has remained flat for the past 2 1/2 years due to successful drug court and misdemeanor supervision programs, along with a high parole rate and a low recidivism rate.

Laurie Welch may be reached at lwelch@magicvalley.com or 208-677-8767.