Huntsman's idea has no substantial form yet. In fact, his announcement, although dramatically staged to give him the most political mileage in a gubernatorial contest that is nearing its apex, seemed almost to roll off his cuff.

The idea is intriguing. What it lacks, of course, is a thorough evaluation of its potential long-term implications. Economic and social studies, together with discussion among all the parties likely to be involved, including the executive and legislative branches, would seem likely first steps.

The 53-year-old prison is crowded, filled to capacity on most days; some facilities are outdated. But the real transformation has come outside its walls.

To say that the Point of the Mountain, the popular name for the prison and for the entire area that forms the boundary between Salt Lake and Utah counties, has changed is to note the obvious. Since the prison was built in 1951, its host city of Draper has become a burgeoning bedroom community with some of the most expensive neighborhoods in the state.

The resulting increase in property values appears to be at the heart of Huntsman's brainstorm. He estimates that the 700-acre site of the complex could bring the state $350 million to $500 million.

However, just planting a "For Sale" sign on the property and accepting the highest bids from developers would be blindingly shortsighted and we can't believe Draper residents would sit still for it. What would the addition of 700 acres of homesites in the already crowded south end of Salt Lake Valley do to traffic, air pollution and schools? What about open space and parks?

Another question: What other community would want to host a 3,500-inmate prison that wouldn't be paying property or sales taxes?

Huntsman apparently didn't talk with skeptical officials from Tooele and Gunnison before he mentioned those cities as possible prison sites. Yet, there aren't many other communities at some distance from Utah's most populous counties, but close enough to the Wasatch Front for convenient transportation of inmates to and from courts and for the prison's 1,000 employees, most of whom live in Wasatch Front cities, to commute easily.

Huntsman's idea is worth exploring, regardless the outcome of the governor's race. But careful examination takes time and should not be rushed, by either a battalion of developers or state officials and legislators looking for a quick budgetary fix.