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| Mason inmates remain eligible for 'habitat' work |
| By MELINDA CHARLES, Staff Writer, maysville-online.com |
| Published: 01/29/2010 |
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Mason inmates remain eligible for 'habitat' work * Story * Discussion By MELINDA CHARLES, Staff Writer | Posted: Thursday, January 28, 2010 11:00 pm | (0) Comments Font Size: Default font size Larger font size Mason County Detention Center inmates will be allowed to work on future Habitat for Humanity projects in the Maysville area, Mason County Jailer Gerald Curtis said Thursday. "We've just got some policies and procedures now, which is a good thing," Curtis said. Curtis received a letter from the Department of Corrections earlier this week outlining the new policy. Basically, the jail must hold a copy of the property deed while the work is being done to show it is for a nonprofit organization. Once the deed is transferred over to a private citizen, the inmates are not allowed to work on the house because it would be for the benefit of a private individual. Officials with MCDC had been abiding by that guideline all along and had helped with two houses already this year, the most recent which was turned over to an individual last weekend. Inmates have been used to build five houses for the Limestone Habitat for Humanity in the past few years. A $2,000 grant was also received from the Department of Justice to help cover the cost of transportation and food for the inmates while working on the projects. However, a kink was thrown in the process when Curtis attending a training session with the Department of Corrections where an instructor said Habitat for Humanity was not a qualified project. Although Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization, the Department of Corrections felt the projects benefited a private citizen more so than the group. There were also concerns of the possibility of an inmate obtaining contraband while out at a work site, even though Curtis says he's had no serious problems in all the time inmates have been used for a build. The decision to allow inmates to continue working on Habitat projects came after much talk from local politicians, concerned citizens and media coverage. Sen. Robin Webb credited the media attention to helping resolve the issue. "It was very positive media input," Webb said of an article and editorial published in The Ledger Independent. "When we took that article and editorial to the Department of Corrections, it gave us some credibility." Webb went on to say the program will not only benefit the Maysville area but is a benefit across the state. "It broadens our potential for re-entry programs without expanding the budget," she said. Curtis was quick to acknowledge those who participated in getting the issue resolved. "I want to thank (Representative) Mike Denham, Robin Webb and all the private individuals who helped us talk to the Department of Corrections," Curtis said. "I think it's a very favorable and fair solution," Denham said of the decision. Curtis also spoke with other jailers across the state who favored the use of inmates for Habitat projects. Rick Litton, co-chair for the Limestone Habitat for Humanity, hadn't officially been notified of the decision but felt confident a reasonable solution would be established. The group is finished with its builds for the year so it is uncertain when the inmates will get to help build another home. "We don't think we'll get another build this year unless we get a lot of donations," Litton said. The group spent most of its budget on the two houses already constructed this year. "Right now, we're in the mode of trying to raise funds," Litton said. The inmates have participated in some other community projects, such as one for a local cancer care club, according to Curtis. Inmates involved in such community service projects are evaluated and placed in one of five custody levels, which is determined based on the type of crime committed. Only inmates classified in the first two levels -- considered nonviolent inmates -- are allowed to participate, according to Curtis. Read More. |
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