|
|
| Bailey touts prison program |
| By morningsentinel.mainetoday.com |
| Published: 08/26/2009 |
|
WATERVILLE -- Through his talk Monday to the Waterville Rotary Club, renowned defense lawyer F. Lee Bailey appealed to business leaders: Make contact with the state prison system, and indicate a willingness to hire inmates who have shown they deserve early release. Bailey is working with Waterville lawyer John Nale to implement the Amicus program, which encourages inmates to participate in educational skill-training programs. On successful completion, the inmates would be eligible for early release."I hope that you folks will give it a try," Bailey said to a packed room of Rotarians and guests at the Alfond Youth Center. "If it can't be done in Maine, it can't be done anywhere." Bailey asked that business people indicate an interest to Nale, who chairs the Maine State Prison Industries Advisory Council, which is in the early stages of its effort to implement Amicus. "Businesses would choose from a list of eligibles," Bailey said. "Businessmen like challenges, and like to succeed." As Bailey fielded questions, a local businessman told him of his own success in hiring a former inmate. Bob Jacobs, owner of Windows Plus in Winslow, said that the man he hired performed well, and is now taking college courses. "He was fantastic," Jacobs said. "He had experience in the glazing industry, and was reliable." Jacobs said that his wife, Deb, and other members of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship of Vassalboro make visits to the Kennebec County Jail in Augusta. "Churches," Bailey said, "are extremely important in this effort." Bailey, who helped start a similar initiative in Minnesota, estimated that one-third of inmates are "fit for release." "Sociopaths and sex offenders," he said, "are bad risks. It's best to take a good, small bite out of the best of the apple." Read More. |
MARKETPLACE search vendors | advanced search
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
|
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think