RE-ENTRY: On the record, say no

As the state of Idaho sent out feelers to see which community made it clear that they wouldn’t accept a Prison Release Program, Kootenai County and Coeur d’Alene did NOT make it clear that we don’t want the program. To date, our community has spoken and said “No Way!” Even politicians in campaigns have voiced a big NO! What we have not heard from is our City Council, County Commissioners or newspaper supporting the people.

This city, county and newspapers need to go on record and CLEARLY support our citizens in this issue. All three have looked the other way and we believe will feign surprise when the decision is made to unload this turkey on beautiful Coeur d’Alene. One City Council member has voiced support, and he has no experience with adult offenders.

This citizen saw what happened when scores of parolees and their families descended upon Lancaster, Calif., in 1992. Sadly, the city of Lancaster was never the same. The prison system said that “only” minimum and medium level inmates would inhabit the institution. However, within months, maximum level offenders were the only inhabitants. It took just a handful of Lancaster citizens to voice support for the institution. and crimes and gangs found a new place to flourish. Statistics point out that parolees commit eight crimes per year. That is 8 times 120 or, 960 NEW crimes in our area each year.

RON DEADY

Post Falls