By Mary Mascher, former state representative and retired educator
I support the bond issue for the new jail. As a former elected official, educator, community activist, and long-time volunteer I also support our jail diversion efforts in Johnson County.
I am extremely proud of our community and what we have done over many years to decrease the jail population in Johnson County. We have the lowest incarceration rate per capita of any county in the state! This was not an accident. It has taken a great deal of time, money, and volunteer hours over many years to accomplish this. I applaud the efforts of our elected officials, our city, county, and school district employees, and the countless volunteers who have been a part of these efforts. Are we done? Definitely not! Can we do better? Of course! Will those of us committed to these efforts continue to work? Absolutely, because we know it takes a village to accomplish these goals. We know how important this work is and why we must continue to work to address these complex issues.
This is the reason I donate to and volunteer at Habitat for Humanity, Open Heartland, the Shelter House, Domestic Violence Intervention Program, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, the area Food Banks, and Houses to Homes. I am so proud of the work being done at the GuideLink Center, The Free Medical Clinic, Inside Out Reentry Community, The Dream Center, Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition, IC Compassion, The Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County, and all of the churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques dedicated to helping and supporting others in our community. I know there are many other organizations and groups committed to these efforts and I applaud them and thank them for their commitment to reducing the incarceration rates in Johnson County.
Our current jail is woefully inadequate for those who are staying there and those who work in the facility. We can and should do better. The jail bond provides us with an opportunity to address both.
This has never been an either-or proposition. Build a new jail or reduce the jail population. We can and should do both. I will do my best to continue to volunteer in our community and look for ways to reduce our incarceration rates. I hope you will join me in those efforts.
I will also be voting for the new jail and ask you to join me in our efforts to improve the facility so that those who are staying there have a safe place to serve their time. I support our law enforcement officials and their efforts to work in an environment that respects their service to our community.
Vote “YES” for the jail bond on Nov. 3.
