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Dennis Dubin: Energy Architecture Prison Construction Saves Money
By Elisabeth Lawrence
At a time in our nation's history when over 1.9 million Americans
are incarcerated at a taxpayer expense of over $65 billion each
year, Dennis Dubin has a radical, if sensible idea: build energy-
efficient prisons. "In the U.S., we keep building more prisons,
but current methods of prison construction waste valuable
resources, most notably taxpayers' money," says Mr. Dubin, a real
estate and venture investor whose activities have included
interests in telecommunications, health care, alternative energy-
related businesses, and meaningful philanthropic support for
worthy causes (www.upeace.org).
Mr. Dubin is a proud American who serves as a director of the
Federal Enforcement Homeland Security Foundation (supporting
families and agents in need within the Federal law enforcement
community) and is an active member in the Navy War College
Foundation and an advisor to the World Security Network.
He was a selection committee member and representative to the
International Congress for Distinguished Awards for the
International Earth Day Medal at the United Nations (Earth Day).
Even though Mr. Dubin is a champion of the Constitution and
democratic principles, he is a respectful internationalist and
special advisor to the United Nations chartered University of
Peace (UPeace). He is also a board member of UPeace USA, where he
is incubating a youth violence reduction initiative as a possible
global model. In addition, Mr. Dubin is a special consultant with
the National Foundation for Women Legislators Committee on Crime,
Justice, Terrorism & Substance Abuse Policy and a former trustee
of the Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Prize.
Mr. Dubin has become known as an innovative thinker who creates
leading edge concepts in areas of social concern.
"Unless we begin to take a progressive approach, we'll continue
down the slippery slope of inefficiency and misuse of our human
and natural resources," he points out. For Mr. Dubin, that
progressive approach incorporates something he refers to as
"energy architecture," whereby correctional facilities are built
using cutting edge environmental innovation and alternative,
renewable energy sources. "The capability of a prison to operate
off the grid would tremendously reduce the cost of operating that
facility," he says. "Prison construction and operation that is not
only energy independent, but that is also sustainable through
methods ranging from growing food to water reclamation would allow
local, state, and federal governments to reallocate money toward
education and other important programs."
Mr. Dubin's proposition couldn't come at a better time. Research
indicates that, over the past 25 years, entry into correctional
facilities has risen an astounding 377%, with a corresponding
budget increase of 600%.
The trend shows no signs of slowing. In California alone, the
projected state spending on incarceration over the next 20 years
is $1.3 trillion. "The sheer cost of building and operating
prisons demands that we think outside of the box and come up with
creative solutions to lower expenses associated with the criminal
justice system," says Mr. Dubin.
Mr. Dubin's forward-thinking stance on prison construction is one
element of his larger vision, which includes the importance of
America's ability to compete in the global marketplace. "We live
in an extremely complex world with mounting energy costs and with
additional security expenses in response to the threat of
terrorism. At the same time, we're competing with the low cost of
human labor in Asia and India," he says. "Wasting our human and
natural resources translates into increased debt, a failure to
compete, and an imbalance in trade."
"America – and companies like GM – cannot continue to subsist on
stored fat, but must expand its legacy and fulfill its destiny as
a leader in technology as well as human and social innovation."
The zero-sum game can become a win-win. Just how to do this will
be the subject of the next feature article.
About the Author
Press Direct International
(http://www.pressdirectinternational.org) is a global information
website providing reliable information tailored for professionals
in financial, media and corporate markets. Senior Editor Elisabeth
Lawrence is EMMY Award winner writer and TV producer.
Authors Bio (Short):
Elisabeth Lawrence is the Senior Editor for Press Direct
International. She is a veteran writer and TV producer/director.
Received three EMMY awards while at CBS. Wrote for the Wall Street
Journal, and as a TV & video consultant, handled material for
Fortune 500 clients including Exxon, Pepsico, The Ladies Home
Journal, RJR Nabisco, J.C. Penney, Hill & Knowlton and United
Artists.
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