ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has announced plans to immediately shut down a Baltimore jail that was the focus of a federal corruption investigation.
Hogan said at a press conference Thursday that the state would save $10 million to $15 million a year by closing the "deplorable" Baltimore City Detention Center. It houses hundreds of inmates awaiting trial or serving short sentences.
Current employees and inmates will be reassigned to other facilities.
"There is plenty of capacity in the system," Hogan said.
The jail grabbed headlines in 2013 after a sweeping federal indictment exposed a sophisticated drug- and cellphone-smuggling ring involving dozens of gang members and correctional officers.
Of the 44 inmates and jail guards indicted, 35 pleaded guilty.
No FEMA Funds
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is refusing to reverse its denial of disaster aid to help Maryland and Baltimore recover millions of dollars in costs stemming from rioting in the city in April.
Gov. Larry Hogan's office announced the decision Thursday. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said in a letter to the Republican governor that his agency had thoroughly reviewed Hogan's appeal.
Spokesman Matt Clark said Hogan is "disgusted and outraged" by the decision.
Maryland provided an estimate of $19.4 million in costs for protective measures and damage from rioting after the death of Freddie Gray from injuries he suffered in police custody.
Hogan had cited a presidential disaster declaration after the 1992 riots in Los Angeles following the acquittal of officers in the Rodney King beating.
