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Published November 12, 2008, 12:00 AM

Prison labor suggested for city

A Grand Forks councilman thinks the city should use county prisoners to maintain its park area along the Red River instead of hiring contractors.

GRAND FORKS (AP) — A Grand Forks councilman thinks the city should use county prisoners to maintain its park area along the Red River instead of hiring contractors.

The city spends about $200,000 a year to maintain the Greenway. Council member Terry Bjerke suggests using prisoners instead.

Council member Doug Christensen said the city has looked into that possibility but it’s not as simple as it sounds. He said the county would have to pay to treat any prisoner injured on the job, and someone would have to guard the prisoners.

Christensen suggests taking more time to consider the issue.

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