Keep trying on halfway house
- Font Size:
- Default font size
- Larger font size
By the Quad-City Times | Sunday, November 19, 2006 |
The irony is unavoidable. Central city residents concerned about crime were dead set against expanding a program that verifiably, undeniably reduces it.
The Iowa Department of Corrections halfway house at 6th and Main streets has a track record of rehabilitating 76 percent of the ex-cons who receive the job training and supervision upon release from prison. It worked so well, the Department of Corrections won a $10 million legislative appropriation to double its size. Working with both the city and DavenportOne, the local judicial district board reviewed at least a half-dozen proposed sites. Finally, after countless meetings and
discussions, the group settled on the old Sears building at 806 W. 4th St.
Then the neighbors found out and something amazing happened. After hearing their concerns, the judicial services board, comprised of elected supervisors for five counties and four citizen members, voted 8-1 against proceeding immediately on the Sears site. The lone holdout was Kathy Laird, a Davenport resident and member of the sub-committee that did the most work on the project. Interestingly, Laird said she had been against the Sears site, but relented after being part of that exhaustive process. Her vote supported her sub-committee’s work.
Now it’s starting over.
We commend their diligent work and share their urgency to expand halfway house operations in Davenport. Loads of statistics and reports can explain why, but we’ll summarize by quoting committee member Greg Adamson, a 31-year police veteran and no softy on crime: “Keeping these inmates in prison to the last minute is expensive and doesn’t work.” And we’ll add: Putting them in a structured environment, close to court services, jobs and public transportation, does.
Our research shows the current halfway house has been operated safely and responsibly and we would expect the next one will be, too.
The concerns of the neighbors are critical, but not the only consideration when finding a home for the expanded halfway house. Now that those concerns have been expressed and heard, the judicial district board and residents can work together in a more informed, cooperative manner, to find a place for this valuable asset to our community.
The judicial district and our Quad-City community need this project. The legislature has funded it. And Davenport, which sends the most people to prison from the five-county district, should host it.
del.icio.us
Digg
NewsVine
Fark
redditMore Stories By the Quad-City Times
» More Opinion Stories
- Buchanan: Don't count on Democrats to deliver amnesty package
- Navarrette: Study shows dads doing their share
- Ivins: Farewell to Rummy and his nuggets of truthiness
- Malkin: House-cleaning hints for Pelosi
- Keep trying on halfway house
- Parole officers shouldn't be central city landlords
- U.S. troops can't counter Iraqi disorganization
Highest Rated Articles from the last 7 Days
- Technology News Articles
- Computers, MP3, Phones & More. See Product Pics, Specs & Reviews.
- www.NexTag.com
- 2008 Diet Of The Year:
- Finally, A Diet That Really Works! Seen On CNN, NBC, CBS & Fox News.
- www.Wu-YiSource.com
- Cheap Airfare
- Compare multiple travel sites. Discount web fares made easy.
- www.LowFares.com
- Ads by Yahoo!
