Construction on Roosevelt Benton Center on schedule

May 2, 2018 5:44 pm

By: Chloe Leshner

cleshner@abc6.com

@ChloeLeshner

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — ABC 6 News got an inside look at the old training school building in Cranston that’s now being transformed into a place that will house the worst of the worst criminals. This move is raising red flags for some people because of past security issues at the training school facility. But state officials say this is a much better option in terms of safety for the community and the violent patients.

A melee happened when it was a training school last summer and soon the building will be home to a population of criminally insane patients. But state officials say the community has nothing to worry about and security is being increased tenfold.

Construction is moving along on the Roosevelt Benton Center, every detail well thought out before 51 psychiatric patients move in.

"Everything from soap dispensers, plumbing fixtures, a lot of thought has gone into designing that to reduce and mitigate risks," says Dane Kwiatkowski, the project manager.

The building used to house troubled teens but is undergoing major renovations for its new crop of violent offenders.

"We added a lot of security cameras which are going to be monitored 24/7," says Kwiatkowski.

Also nurses will have a much better view of patients, who will be separated into smaller units. The walls separating them have a heavy duty mesh inside making it nearly impossible for anyone to break them down.

"A lot of effort went into a thoughtful design and the implementation of that design," says Kwiatkowski.

The move from Slater Hospital is needed because the buildings are no where near capable of holding these types of people. They were built in 1930 and we’re told little to nothing in terms of renovations have been done over the years.

City officials and residents have major concerns about the move to this facility.

"I have to raise the red flag. I have to," Representative Bob Lancia said when he spoke to ABC 6 News recently. He wanted to know how the state plans to keep residents safe.

"Those folks are currently here in the neighborhood, on the Pastore campus. This will be a building that is infinitely more secure to house that type of patient," says Carol Cornelison.

Construction is still on schedule to move the patients there in July.