News
OZARK — While plans to locate a Dale
County Community Corrections residency program within the
downtown business district on Andrews Avenue have been under way
for more than a year, Dale County director Angelia Enfinger said
there is still little time to consider another facility amid
strong opposition.
But she said time is running short because the corrections board is expected to close on the property today. And in order to meet stiff 2007 fiscal year obligations from the state Department of Corrections that include the diversion of 26 more inmates in the program, Enfinger said the board was intending to have a facility open by Aug. 1.
The proposed property, which used to be a boys’ home until its vacancy four years ago, is expected to cost $52,500 and more than $35,000 to renovate.
Enfinger said she was aware of only one resident’s disapproval of placing the program in the home until Friday, when Ozark Mayor Bob Bunting held a press conference and asked residents to rally against the pending purchase.
“The program would welcome assistance from the mayor and City of Ozark … (but) failure to meet obligations could mean a loss of potential funding by the Alabama Department of Corrections, and the program would have to continue with decreased staff to provide the services it currently is offering to the people placed in it,” Enfinger said in a statement.
Although several residents and business owners around the proposed property said they were not informed of the corrections program housing inmates in an already drug and crime-infested area, Enfinger said she announced the community corrections board’s intentions several weeks ago to a local civic club, local WOZK radio station and with as many people as she could since the loan had been approved. Enfinger said she also wrote memorandums advising Dale County legislative officials including judges and Sheriff Wally Olson of the intended purchase and the financial restrictions it would have on the program.
“No intention has been made to hide the purchase of any potential property for the purpose of a residential facility … This particular piece of property was considered due to being owned by Southeast Alabama Youth Services … The home has enough space to house approximately 20 adults … If a business is going to meet the current City of Ozark’s Planning and Zoning Board B2 code they do not have to notify anyone.”
Enfinger said the program has considered several properties including an apartment complex off Highway 231 North and the old Wal-Mart building across from City Hall. While a grant proposal was written in March 2006 to build a 50-bed facility if land could be obtained by the county, Enfinger said funding for that project was denied because the state Department of Corrections used funds to pay for inmates held in private prisons in Louisiana.
Although no community correctional program in the state is without possible escapees or prisoners who commit other crimes while in the program, Enfinger said every measure possible would be taken to ensure the city’s safety at the Andrews Avenue facility.
Community Corrections is a statewide alternative method of punishment for the non-violent offender, those who receive convictions of drug related offenses and property crimes.
“The majority of people placed in Community Corrections have issues with alcohol abuse and drug abuse … At all times with this program public safety and protection for the public is a primary concern …,” she said.
“The property will be fenced and monitored by security cameras. Professional staff will manage the facility 24 hours a day, portions of the day will have two to four staff members working with people.”
But she said time is running short because the corrections board is expected to close on the property today. And in order to meet stiff 2007 fiscal year obligations from the state Department of Corrections that include the diversion of 26 more inmates in the program, Enfinger said the board was intending to have a facility open by Aug. 1.
The proposed property, which used to be a boys’ home until its vacancy four years ago, is expected to cost $52,500 and more than $35,000 to renovate.
Enfinger said she was aware of only one resident’s disapproval of placing the program in the home until Friday, when Ozark Mayor Bob Bunting held a press conference and asked residents to rally against the pending purchase.
“The program would welcome assistance from the mayor and City of Ozark … (but) failure to meet obligations could mean a loss of potential funding by the Alabama Department of Corrections, and the program would have to continue with decreased staff to provide the services it currently is offering to the people placed in it,” Enfinger said in a statement.
Although several residents and business owners around the proposed property said they were not informed of the corrections program housing inmates in an already drug and crime-infested area, Enfinger said she announced the community corrections board’s intentions several weeks ago to a local civic club, local WOZK radio station and with as many people as she could since the loan had been approved. Enfinger said she also wrote memorandums advising Dale County legislative officials including judges and Sheriff Wally Olson of the intended purchase and the financial restrictions it would have on the program.
“No intention has been made to hide the purchase of any potential property for the purpose of a residential facility … This particular piece of property was considered due to being owned by Southeast Alabama Youth Services … The home has enough space to house approximately 20 adults … If a business is going to meet the current City of Ozark’s Planning and Zoning Board B2 code they do not have to notify anyone.”
Enfinger said the program has considered several properties including an apartment complex off Highway 231 North and the old Wal-Mart building across from City Hall. While a grant proposal was written in March 2006 to build a 50-bed facility if land could be obtained by the county, Enfinger said funding for that project was denied because the state Department of Corrections used funds to pay for inmates held in private prisons in Louisiana.
Although no community correctional program in the state is without possible escapees or prisoners who commit other crimes while in the program, Enfinger said every measure possible would be taken to ensure the city’s safety at the Andrews Avenue facility.
Community Corrections is a statewide alternative method of punishment for the non-violent offender, those who receive convictions of drug related offenses and property crimes.
“The majority of people placed in Community Corrections have issues with alcohol abuse and drug abuse … At all times with this program public safety and protection for the public is a primary concern …,” she said.
“The property will be fenced and monitored by security cameras. Professional staff will manage the facility 24 hours a day, portions of the day will have two to four staff members working with people.”
