Post by Doc2 on Aug 19, 2009 17:23:30 GMT -5
Renovation draws praise of DOC commissioner
Work release program has expanded to 140 beds
By Rama Sobhani
rsobhani@suncommercial.com
Published:
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 9:06 AM EDT
Community corrections has finished its $800,000 work release renovation project and has opened its 140-bed facility to use.
Officials opened the doors to the public Monday for an open house and tour of the facility, which is housed in the building that was once the county jail.
Indiana Department of Correction officials and project architect Larry Donovan attended and toured the facility, which has greatly expanded its usable area from the 40 beds prior to the renovation.
The roughly $800,000 used to renovate the building came as a grant from the DOC.
“I’m proud of the program and hope it continues with the support of all elected officials and everyone involved,” said director Bob Hatton, who accompanied guests on the facility tour and answered questions afterward.
Hatton, work release coordinator Terry Hatfield and Jerry Gegenheimer, president of the advisory board, conducted the tour for DOC officials.
DOC Commissioner Edwin Buss said he was impressed with the updated facility and that the DOC would be encouraging other counties to consider it a model for future improvements on their own programs.
“They took an existing resource and refurbished it ... that’s the most cost-effective thing,” Buss said.
“Alternative programs like this one are the future,” he added. “They’re not only cost-effective, but meet the needs of low-level offenders better as they are closer to re-entering Indiana communities.”
Community corrections is a regional partnership between Knox and Pike counties that houses nonviolent inmates who have agreed to obtain employment in exchange for avoiding jail time. Hatfield said at the moment there are about 80 male and eight female inmates housed in the facility.
Officials were looking forward to implementing several changes and additions in particular, including several new classrooms and a computer lab built for inmates who wish to participate in continuing education.
“The increased space increases our accountability of offenders, there is more room and more classrooms to do more things in-house,” Hatfield said.
In the past, when inmates had to leave the facility to seek support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous, or Narcotics Anonymous, Hatfield said it was harder to make sure inmates went where they were supposed to go.
But now with the ability to hold those groups and educational classes in the facility, Hatfield said he is optimistic many of the problems associated with truancy will be resolved.
“It’s just a big plus for us,” he said.
Work release program has expanded to 140 beds
By Rama Sobhani
rsobhani@suncommercial.com
Published:
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 9:06 AM EDT
Community corrections has finished its $800,000 work release renovation project and has opened its 140-bed facility to use.
Officials opened the doors to the public Monday for an open house and tour of the facility, which is housed in the building that was once the county jail.
Indiana Department of Correction officials and project architect Larry Donovan attended and toured the facility, which has greatly expanded its usable area from the 40 beds prior to the renovation.
The roughly $800,000 used to renovate the building came as a grant from the DOC.
“I’m proud of the program and hope it continues with the support of all elected officials and everyone involved,” said director Bob Hatton, who accompanied guests on the facility tour and answered questions afterward.
Hatton, work release coordinator Terry Hatfield and Jerry Gegenheimer, president of the advisory board, conducted the tour for DOC officials.
DOC Commissioner Edwin Buss said he was impressed with the updated facility and that the DOC would be encouraging other counties to consider it a model for future improvements on their own programs.
“They took an existing resource and refurbished it ... that’s the most cost-effective thing,” Buss said.
“Alternative programs like this one are the future,” he added. “They’re not only cost-effective, but meet the needs of low-level offenders better as they are closer to re-entering Indiana communities.”
Community corrections is a regional partnership between Knox and Pike counties that houses nonviolent inmates who have agreed to obtain employment in exchange for avoiding jail time. Hatfield said at the moment there are about 80 male and eight female inmates housed in the facility.
Officials were looking forward to implementing several changes and additions in particular, including several new classrooms and a computer lab built for inmates who wish to participate in continuing education.
“The increased space increases our accountability of offenders, there is more room and more classrooms to do more things in-house,” Hatfield said.
In the past, when inmates had to leave the facility to seek support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous, or Narcotics Anonymous, Hatfield said it was harder to make sure inmates went where they were supposed to go.
But now with the ability to hold those groups and educational classes in the facility, Hatfield said he is optimistic many of the problems associated with truancy will be resolved.
“It’s just a big plus for us,” he said.