Hilltop jail

There is an unsightly monument being built in the center of Nogales. It is not a park, or a statue, but a prison.

Most other prisons in the country are located on the outskirts of towns and cities, or out in the middle of nowhere. Does Nogales have to be different and throw a jail in the middle of town? Whose smart idea was it to put it overlooking Nogales? This is one of the most foolish things that has ever happened to Nogales. If we wanted to have a jail we could’ve at least put it out in the desert somewhere.

Not only is building this prison foolish but it is unsafe. What would happen if there were a jail break? The people in the prison would do anything for freedom and the border is only a couple of miles away. This would also be bad for the image of Nogales. If we are trying to attract tourism and visitors why is building a prison in the middle of town? Do tourists want to arrive in Nogales and while arriving see a hilltop fortress/jail visible from the highway? The new jail is about a mile away from three new hotels and the Nogales High School. Are we trying to attract tourists or scare them away?

Manuel Andres Coppola

Rio Rico