Community Corrections

I wish you well in getting such a grant.To educate ,counsel,help with employment,reduce incarceration,save money are all worthwhile efforts for the county government.

Reta has expressed reservation on the community corrections issue.....

I note that some people feel that there is a "revolving door" if you don't put people in jail and keep 'em there and that community corrections is somehow "soft on crime". There is some evidence that the reverse is true. Putting people in jail causes them to become "institutionalized" and affords them little help to overcome the basic reasons that led them to jail: drug addiction, alcohol abuse, emotional immaturity, lack of education, inadequate job skills etc. These causes of failure can be dealt with, hopefully, in a well run community corrections program that is actually cheaper at the end of the day than jail. Provide educational opportunity, counseling for addiction and life skills, put folks of a job tract and then see if that person "returns to criminal behavior". In my many years as a criminal defense lawyer I have found that most "crimes" result for people who have trouble putting one foot in front of another. People who lack skills and who are crippled by addictions.

Cordiality depends on professionalism and not taking things personally. I've noticed that this is often difficult and causes people to lose issues in the discussions. I too think the regional jail is a costly problem that begs a solution which can only happen if all cooperate.