Leroy Martin speaking to commission before his appointment as 4th District Road Board member.
Roy Henry speaks to the commission before his appointment as 4th District Constable.
By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—Following a presentation last week at the Henry Co. Jail, the County Commission Monday night unanimously approved a proposal to create a county work release program for select inmates.
The goal of the program is to provide inmates with the opportunity to re-enter society with the skills necessary to lead a productive life and be better prepared for the transition back into the community. A major goal is to decrease recidivism.
Under the program, Sheriff Monte Belew will serve as Superintendent of the workhouse, with County Mayor Brent Greer serving as ex-officio chair of the board of workhouse commissioners.
The initial board of workhouse commissioners shall consist of Chief Deputy Damon Lowe, two-year term; Deputy Sgt. Daniel Powell, two-year term; Captain Steve Dean, one-year term; and Cliff Barker, one-year term.
A commissioner from each district will serve on the workhouse review board, which will review all financial reports and data on a quarterly basis. Greer said the board’s first meeting will be in the first quarter of next year.
Last week’s meeting included a presentation by Belew on how the workhouse would work and included a tour of the area in the jail where the program would operate. Inmates in the work release program will be housed separately from other inmates.
Under the program, inmates will pay $20 a day to work. $4 will go for an ankle bracelet, with $16 going to the general fund to pay for basic clothing, lunch, transportation.
With 10 inmates working five days a week, it will generate $40,000 a year for the county general fund. With the full 32 inmates, it would generate $133,000, Belew said.
Belew said he has received ‘multiple calls’ from employers wanting the inmates to work for them since news stories appeared about the program last week. PML already stepped up and said they wanted to employ the first 10 inmates.
Greer said, “This is a great opportunity for our community and great opportunity for us to improve our recitivism.”
Bruce Griffey, Republican nominee for State Representative, applauded the program and said he has researched grant monies that are available for vans and equipment and reimbursement costs. “My hat’s off to this. As a criminal defense attorney and a prosecutor, I’ve seen criminal defendants get behind the eight ball and I think this program will be better for everyone.”
Greer also announced that grant monies are available from the state to provide better connectivity throughout counties. He said West Kentucky Rural Telephone is interested in serving areas in Henry Co., such as the lake area, that needs better internet service.
The commission approved a resolution stating Henry Co. is “broadband ready” which will enable the county to be included in the grant application.
In other business:
–The commissioners appointed Roy Henry as 4th District Constable to fill the vacant position until August of 2020. Henry spoke to commissioners and said he was not seeking the position just for the position itself, but as “public service, community service”. Henry works in the property assessor’s office.
–Commissioners appointed Leroy Martin as 4th District Road Board Member until August 2020. Martin also spoke to the commissioners, noting he is retired as an electrician/carpenter.
Top photo: Bruce Griffey addresses the commission. (Shannon McFarlin photos)
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