Article published October 27, 2005
North Toledo: Prisoners perform community service
By ERICA BLAKE
BLADE STAFF WRITER
Russell Kincaid II knows most people consider him nothing more than a prisoner.
He's a convicted felon, after all, caught trafficking drugs in Lima, Ohio, and about halfway through his 35-month sentence at the Toledo Correctional Institution.
But during the weekdays, dressed in a khaki jumpsuit imprinted with "DRC inmate" on the back, the 31-year-old Detroit man can be found cleaning up and landscaping around St. James Church "The Armory" on Nebraska Avenue.
He considers it an apology of sorts to the community.
"A lot of people don't want to hear us say sorry. They want us to step forward and so something," said Kincaid, who participates in the prison's community service program. "I felt like I had to give back to the community. Being in prison, you have to start rehabilitating yourself. This is a good thing for me to come out and do."
Prison officials recently highlighted the community service program, which has been available since 2000 for governmental agencies, schools, and nonprofit organizations. Low-risk and well-behaved inmates are available to go into an establishment to work. Higher risk inmates are able to do other types of projects - sewing quilts, stuffing mailers, painting banners - in house.The screening is intense, said prison spokesman Meredith Rinna. Of the nearly 780 inmates currently incarcerated in the North Toledo prison, only 15 are involved in the voluntary community service program. Of those, only three are allowed off prison grounds.
Inmates are not considered for the external program if they've been convicted of a sex offense, kidnapping, murder, or if they have two separate felony convictions. Those leaving the grounds must be classified as the lowest security risk and not broken any prison rules. Those working internally must express interest, have a skill, and have have broken no prison rules within the past six months.
"The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is the only system in the country that has rehabilitation in the name," Ms. Rinna said. "Part of the rehabilitation is looking at the inmate re-entry process. Community service is a part of the re-entry."
Susan Brown, deputy warden of special services, recognized that many people are leery of bringing inmates out into the community. She hoped that by educating the public, more groups would take part in the service.
So far this year, inmates have completed 12 community service projects, are currently involved in 11 projects, and have worked a total of 37,985 hours. This saved those participating agencies about $28,060.
Will James, senior pastor at St. James, said inmates first came to completed 12 community service projects, are currently involved in 11 projects, and have worked a total of 37,985 hours. This saved those participating agencies about $28,060.
Will James, senior pastor at St. James, said inmates first came to his church this spring. He said the men working at the church are treated like staff and not like "slave labor."
"These guys have made mistakes, like all of us have," he said. "They now are be given the chance to give back."
Contact Erica Blake at:
eblake@theblade.com
or 419-724-6076.
Permanent Link
|
|
 |
|
Search
advertisement
