Opponents: Don't even try to put re-entry center here

COEUR d'ALENE — Local opposition is mounting on the Idaho Department of Correction's plans for a 130-bed community re-entry center in North Idaho.

The Legislature appropriated $12.2 million during its last session for the purpose, and IDOC is searching for a site.

IDOC officials last month said Kootenai County is the preferred location, but IDOC Director Josh Tewalt on Monday added that other options could be explored.

"We're not married to a particular location," he said. "Instead, we're trying to identify a suitable location that meets a set criteria necessary for these types of centers to be successful.

"Much of that criteria centers on proximity to potential employees, employers and access to services."

Project opponents are gathering Wednesday at 6 p.m. at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

"We understand that we have to take some (inmates) in the community, but they need to develop programs that aren't just wholesale dumping of 130 inmates on North Idaho," said Duane Rasmussen, a local attorney who also spearheaded opposition to IDOC's plans for a work-release center in Kootenai County in 2001.

"Here we go again."

Jeff Ray, IDOC spokesman, said the agency had challenges obtaining a zoning special-use permit for a site back then and opted to allocate the funding to expand two other housing projects instead.

IDOC officials said a request for proposals for the latest effort was recently submitted for properties in Kootenai County, but no response was received so IDOC is seeking a local real estate agent for further assistance. Therefore, construction or opening dates haven’t been determined.

"I understand why people in North Idaho are so passionate about public safety," Tewalt said. "I'd be concerned too if there was talk that felony offenders from around the state were going to be moving to my community. But that's not at all what we're talking about doing. The proposal that's up for consideration is very different than what was considered almost two decades ago."

Tewalt said there are already more than 2,000 felony probationers and parolees living in the five northern counties.

"We know this population is the most likely to commit new crimes and be sent to prison," he said. "We want to create a new level of accountability for these people.

"The proposed center would do that by providing people releasing to North Idaho a more structured re-entry process as well as providing additional accountability, treatment and support services for probationers and parolees who are at highest risk of committing crimes."

Ray said the center will likely house males comprised primarily of minimum custody offenders nearing release from the First and Second judicial districts who will be allowed the chance to work and prepare for a transition into the community.

Rasmussen said opponents plan to circulate a petition in opposition to IDOC’s plan.

Hayden City Council member Matt Roetter, who also opposed the earlier plan, said he intends to submit a resolution for consideration to his board in opposition to the current proposal. Other government boards may also be approached, he said.

"I'm concerned about the welfare and safety of our small town and particularly kids," he said. "We'll have to tax our people more for more law enforcement. I'm against that."

Ray said the centers have security and rules and are provided transportation by IDOC to work sites.

However, Rasmussen said he's skeptical.

"In the past the Department of Correction has not shown that it has the ability to be an honest broker in dealing with concerns for the safety of our citizens," he said. "It has not shown that it can safely rehabilitate inmates or follow city requirements."

Rasmussen said opponents were aware the funds were appropriated, but he said they wanted to see what was going to actually happen before organizing.

"They may think that we forgot (about the earlier proposal), but we haven't," he said.

He said IDOC should consider more mentoring programs instead of another re-entry center.

Asked how he'd respond to the argument that the opposition simply has a NIMBY (not in my backyard) attitude, Rasmussen said foes are instead taking a stand to have IDOC look at other options.

"People in Kootenai County are disinclined to merely lay back and take it," he said. "One solution needs not to apply to every community. What is easiest for the Department of Correction may not be the best for the residents of North Idaho and in this case it is not."

The state's fifth community release center is slated to open in Twin Falls in fall 2020. There are two centers in Boise and one each in Nampa and Idaho Falls.

Bonneville County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Bryan Lovell told The Press that the Idaho Falls center hasn't been a thorn in law enforcement's side.

"We see a lot more interaction with people on probation or parole than who is tied to that (center)," Lovell said.

"(Inmates at the center) are somewhat of a low-risk classification of people who show a willingness to be productive members of society and want to hit the ground running when they get out. They have walkaways from the program just like with us and other jails, but there are consequences for that."

Lovell said it's difficult to say how crime changed with that center because it has been in the community for about 20 years.

The state's four existing centers have 483 total beds. As of July 15, IDOC had 1,530 inmates eligible for community release.

Ray said centers save taxpayer money compared to jails.

Tewalt said the concept for the center is the result of feedback IDOC has received from judges and law enforcement.

"Our probation and parole officers need more tools and resources to help people on felony supervision be successful and appropriately intervene when their behavior warrants," he said. "The proposed center would improve public safety by assuring that those people who return to North Idaho have structure in their lives and face a new level of accountability."

Tewalt said the process of finding a site for the center is in its infancy. IDOC looks forward to hearing concerns and highlighting how centers benefit local economies, he said.

"Community support will be critical not only to securing the appropriate permits for the facilities, but also to the long term of the people returning to the area," he said.