Caldwell (670 KBOI News) – Two state lawmakers from the Treasure Valley say they’ve seen first hand the prison in Texas where 500 Idahoans are being jailed, and it’s good to go.

The Idaho Press is reporting Representative Greg Chaney and Senator Jim Rice, both of Caldwell, just returned from a trip to tour the Eagle Pass Correctional Facility.

The private prison has been criticized over the years for alleged under staffing, leading to a reputation for violence…some even calling it a “gladiator school”.

Chaney says he asked point blank questions of the company that owns the prison, the GEO Group, about staffing issues, as well as allegedly cramped conditions, and lack of access to health and dental services.

Chaney says he give the prison a B+ grade…Rice, who has a background in corrections, says the prison “passes the smell test.”