WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE - State lawmakers from southwest Louisiana, even those allied with the governor, say they were caught off-guard by an abrupt announcement from the Jindal administration that it planned to close a state prison in DeQuincy.

The closure of C. Paul Phelps Correctional Center was announced Friday, with Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc calling it a cost-cutting measure.

The idea was not discussed in legislative budget hearings - and lawmakers representing the area say they weren't included in any discussions about the prison closure.

The legislators, including House Speaker Chuck Kleckley, say they were given only a few hours' notice before it was publicly announced.

LeBlanc says the 942 prisoners at Phelps will be shifted to the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola and the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in St. Gabriel.