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| Taylor County Comm. Reports Successes |
| By statejournal.com |
| Published: 08/26/2009 |
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GRAFTON -- Issues with jail overcrowding and the high cost of prisoners has many counties turning for relief to alternative sentencing options. Marion County recently received a $100,000 grant to begin developing a community corrections program. Meanwhile, Taylor County undertook the large task of starting one last year. Now that the Taylor County program has turned one year old, I spoke with the director and participants to find out more on the programs challenges and successes. "I was a drug addict, and I had many years doing drugs. I found myself catching a breaking and entering charge. This was probably the worst thing in my life I've ever done, but maybe the best thing because its changed me 100%," said Daniel Allen Whetsell a participant in the Taylor County Community Corrections Program. Daniel Whetsell can be described as nothing but a success story of the Taylor County Community Corrections Day Report Center. After hitting what he describes as "rock bottom" in his life, he was sentenced to complete the community corrections program in lieu of jail. "I was ready to make a change. It was time for me to grow up. I'm 26, I have a daughter and I was ready to better myself for her and myself," said Whetsell. Going from drug addict and criminal to "ready for a change" does not happen overnight. That comes from the structured program Community Corrections Director Tammy Narog provides. "On this program they have the opportunity to improve themselves and step down to probation or they can make some bad choices and they can go to jail," said Director Tammy Narog. Only non-violent offenders who go through an extensive screening process by Judge Alan Moats are given the option of community corrections, which is stricter than probation but less intense than incarceration. Read More. |
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The jail staff has been supportive, Woodson said, adding that he has not abandoned the idea of one day returning to his post inside the facility. Explore natural wonders and world landmarks with Google Street View