CHARLESTON – A plan by the Department of Corrections to move inmates into the Charleston Correctional Facility is welcome news in a region where the economy has slumped because of mill closings.

Although the state’s plan to relocate 55 minimum-security prisoners to Charleston to help alleviate overcrowding in other prison facilities has Gov. John Baldacci’s support, it needs legislative approval.

“We’re moving ahead in anticipation that they ultimately will approve it,” Eric Hansen, supervisor of the Charleston Correctional Facility, said Thursday. He said the facility plans to be ready for the new inmates by July 1.

Hansen said he had already solicited employment applications for the anticipated 15 to 17 jobs that would be created by the move. Those advertisements have garnered “very significant response,” he said.

Located on the former Charleston Air Force Station, the Charleston Correctional Facility is considered a model working facility where inmates contribute to the operation by doing general maintenance work while learning a trade at the same time in such programs as building trades or wood harvesting.

The facility may be best known in the region for its popular work restitution program in which trusted inmates and a facility supervisor provide off-site workers for nonprofit organizations and local governments. These jobs include cutting brush, mowing cemeteries, painting and wood working.

The news that the facility will likely expand was hailed by Dover-Foxcroft Town Manager Jack Clukey, who said 15 jobs was a significant addition for the Penquis area, especially after more than 100 people were displaced when Moosehead Manufacturing Co. announced in February it would close its Monson and Dover-Foxcroft plants.

“I think that would be both a great way to use the state’s capacity that they already have at Charleston and to put some additional people to work in this area,” Clukey said Thursday. “It’s a very important facility in terms of the service it provides to the state and to the communities in the area.”

Hansen said the facility now uses only one of four dormitories. Work is being done to spruce up another dormitory for the anticipated 55 new arrivals, he said. Two other dormitories do not meet code and would require significant work before they can be used.

The facility, which now has 100 inmates, can handle the additional 55 inmates with the extra staff, according to Hansen. Any beyond the 55 would present a capacity issue as far as the treatment plant and other systems in place are concerned, he explained.

As for recruitment, Hansen said the facility has no problem filling staff positions.

“The work force in this area is one of our greatest assets,” Hansen said.