(Laconia, N.H.) New Hampshire Department of Corrections Assistant Commissioner William G. McGonagle announced that an offender housing unit, which closed over two years ago, was renovated and reopened. The Peterson Building, at the Lakes Region Facility (LRF) in Laconia, reopened this week with the capacity to hold up to eighty minimum security male inmates.

The Department closed the building on November 18, 2005 due to infrastructural and building safety concerns. The renovation work was completed entirely by Department employees and inmate work crews using existing resources at no cost to New Hampshire taxpayers.

“The opening of this housing unit is important in assisting us in implementing a re-entry program at LRF and making it available to a maximum number of offenders,” Assistant Commissioner McGonagle said.

Minimum security inmates are assigned to the LRF as they near their parole eligibility date to participate in specialized re-entry programs such as job interviewing and resume writing classes. These skills will better prepare the offenders for their transition back into the community.

With the reopening of the Peterson Building, LRF will have a housing capacity of 400.