UPDATE: So I attended this FORUM yesterday (I was able to catch up on emails and take in a quick 10 minute cat nap). Yes, it was that boring. What I took away;
• The new prison must have transition programming before prisoners get released. A time frame from 90 days to up to a year may help the recidivism rate.
• Released inmates NEED a support system when released. In other words, a place to live and help with job training and employment.
If we invest in these two things the taxpayers would save millions in recidivism costs.
The panel was made of 13 participants with Mayor Poops on the panel with Greg Jamison moderating. During the entire forum Poops constantly looked at his watch (who wears watches?) and looked extremely pissed, frowning the entire time. Which is weird because when Daniel Haggar, Hansen and Whittman presented testimony, they were smiling and trying to make light of what we need to do. But it gets better. As public comment started (which was at the last 15 minutes of the event) Paul was the only panelist to walk out and skip public comment. I just laughed, typical Paul, my time is more important then anyone from the public.
Safer Sioux Falls Forum will be on July 22nd, 10:00 am at the Pavilion in the Belbas Theater.
All local law enforcement agencies, DOC Parole Manager, UJS, Minnehaha County States Attorney, Assistant Attorney General, city council leadership and council members, mayor, police chief Minnehaha and Lincoln County sheriffs are all participating. All Sioux Falls legislators have been invited and many are attending.
The intent of the Safer Sioux Falls forum is to address issues that have been raised about having a prison in our city.
The first question is to the mayor/police chief about what impacts they feel from having a prison here.
If potential positive outcomes/funding… can be found that we support, my hope is that we could bring them to our special session and have them considered as part of the action we take.
The 22nd was chosen because it works with the mayor/police chief and sheriff first, but also because the 22nd was set aside for our special session.
We should be done by 11:30 am.
Please feel free to contact me with thoughts/ideas or concerns.
Greg Jamison