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‘if the\ doni urk, then%the\ lt;hack to jail. I he\ can cither sit in a cell, or the\ can he outside work-—( apt. I.i\id I nderwood, Salim* ( Onnt\ jail administratorHARD LABOR — From left, inmates Jeff Ward, Milton all under the watchful eye of corrections officer Harry Hi Jakes and Kevin Wallace , work to pay their back-fines off, nank (Nick Mariano photo)son in the pen. That’s a last stop. (The work program) is going to embarrass them as people drive by. He’s not going to do it again. It’s a deterrent,” Underwood said.Since the program began, Harrisburg has received the benefit of this program; but, it being in its infant stage, Underwood said he would like to see the program expand into other municipalities, so all of the county can benefit.However, the jail does not want to eliminate other people’s jobs with its inmates, therefore, he said, the jail staff will check with businesses and cities before choosing a site.“When the new jail is built,” Underwood began, “I’d like to do this on a monthly basis. A month in Harrisburg, a month in Eldorado, a month in Carrier Mills, so everyone can benefit.So far, according to Underwood, the public looks favorably upon the work pro-By NICK MARM Staff Writerit was polluted, it was dirty, trees grew there where they were unwanted, parking blocks were deserted evident by decaying paint, but the lot behind the former Channel 3 building is now clean.Thanks to a pilot program involving Saline County convicts behind in paying their fines to society.Four inmates have been working for the county, pulling weeds, painting and cutting trees since July 22 paying back fines they owe with the $4.25 an hour they earn for their full-time work.Otherwise, those fines may never be paid, according to Capt. David Underwood, Saline County jail administrator.“Fines have been a serious problem in the county for a long time. They have no desire to pay those fines. This way, the fines are being paid back with hard labor,” Underwood said.Jeff Ward, Kevin Wallace, Mike Jakes and one other inmate who wished not to be named, have been working seven hours a day, five days a week, ‘‘paying back their debts to society, with sweat, as Underwood describes the paymentBut the difference between this program and other public service work is that the inmates are working under the watchful eye of jail personnel to ensure that theydo work.“If they don’t work, then they go back to jail,” Underwood directed. “They can either sit in a cell, or they can be outside working,” something in this country one needs to do to survive, Underwood explained.So, not only are the county and crime victims being paid back for crimes against them, but inmates are being rehabilitated, either by them being able to say, “Hey, I can do this,” or by embarrassing them at the sites where they may have violated the law.“You’re not going to rehabilitate a perAnd the inmates, they don’t seem to mind the work. Corrections officei Harry Hinant, supervising the four Tuesday afternoon under a humid blanket of sweat, said, “They’re a hard working bunch, they’re doing a pretty good job.”~1 Saline County Industrial*Development Company directors talk economic development.—I»u«f 12By NICK MARIANOStiff Writer_Officers of the Saline County Sheriff’s Department left for a drive this morning to Nevada.Leaving at 7:40 a.m. with Sheriff George Henley were deputies Jerry Linsay and William Summers and Captain David Underwood. The four are driving to Nevada to escort auto theft suspect Joe W. Jordan, who signed a waiver of extradition Tuesday afternoon, back to Saline County.Jordan, 19, was arrested Friday, Aug. 21, in Nevada when the vehicle he was driving, a 1989 Ford Mustang belonging to murder victim Ralph Thompson, ran out of gas in Austin, Nev. Jordan asked a gasoline attendant for assistance who then called Nevada authorities to see if he could get help forJordan.They ran a check on the car and discovered an all-points-bulletin had been issuedon the car.Thompson, 54, of Carrier Mills, wasshot three times and killed Aug. 11. His body was discovered two days later covered in a quilt by a neighbor passing his home. It was then that the sheriff’s department discovered the car missing.In addition to the charge of auto theft, Jordan has also been charged with residential burglary and theft of firearms. Furthermore, Jordan is suspected to have knowledge about the death of Thompson, who was killed with the two weapons allegedly stolen by Jordan, police say.Police anticipate the trip to take six days, and they are expected to arrive back in Illinois early next week. Before leaving for the desert state, the sheriffs department arranged with other jails along their path back to Illinois to house Jordan during the evening hours while the officers rest for thenightThey will also be driving the Mustang back to the county as evidence.In other developments, Gary Gene Reed, who was arrested in East Prairie, Mo., after turning himself in to authorities for a charge of auto theft by possession, posted $500 bond and released Monday of this week.Bond was originally set at $2,500, but ithad been reduced with the provision that if he fails to appear in court, then a waiver of extradition will automatically apply withouthim having to sign the waiver.Reed was staying at his grandmother’s home in East Prairie where Jordan was reportedly staying with him following themurder.ace rageEconomicdevelopment: ‘Where do wego from here?’was sinking in tne mis-reportea, me weamer service saia.The Department of Commerce and Community Affairs recently felt the brunt of sweeping decreases in its funding.The Southern Illinois Coalition is concerned that Southern Illinois will be dramatically impacted by these decreases and see a substantial decline in service and economic support.The funding problem creates a host of issues facing Southern Illinois that must be addressed and cannot be ignored.The coalition will hold its annual meeting Aug. 27 at 9:30 a.m. at John A. Logan College, Batteau Room to discuss its goals and directions in view of the budget cuts.The coalition recognizes that economic development issues facing southern Illinois will only become worse if action is not taken now by our legislators.All candidates for state senator and state representatives in districts that cover the Southern Illinois Coalition’s 20 coun-tieshave been invited to participate in a panel discussion of economic development issues.The topic of the discussion is “Where Do We Go From Here In Economic Development In Southern Illinois?” Candidate will have five minutes each to present their positions and directions for economic development.Following the presentation, the coalition will question candidates on their presentations. Candidatse will have three minutes each to respond and may refuse to respond if they choose. Time permitting, memebcrs of the audience will have a chance for their questions to be answered.All concerned citizens are urged to attend this important meeting to determine the position and direction our candidates have for economic development in Southern Illinois and the direction the coalition will take.
Newspaper Details
Harrisburg Daily Register
Harrisburg, Illinois, US
Wed, Aug 26, 1992
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Kat G.
NA, NA 20 Jan 2023
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Harrisburg Saline County Register
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