Corrections community meetings set to raise awareness

BOISE--- The Idaho Department of Correction, four universities and colleges, and state legislators will host a series of community meetings in Idaho to educate and create dialogue.

"Safe Communities: Planning for the Future" forums are designed to educate and create dialogue about the challenges facing Idaho communities as the offender population grows.

"Corrections really is a community issue," states Tom Beauclair, Director of the Idaho Department of Correction. "If the community is connected and aware of this information they can have an impact on public safety."

The number of probationers and parolees managed by the Department of Correction is growing at the rate of about 850 people a year. Currently, department manages more than 11,000 offenders in Idaho communities.

The prison population is also growing by approximately 30 inmates a month. Currently, the state has 6,608 inmates. The prison system has the capacity to house 6,100 inmates. Prison population growth and community corrections growth are two of the main forum topics. Sex offender supervision and programs and education are the other main discussion areas. The forums will include presentations followed by opportunities to visit tables with experts and additional information. One demonstration available to attendees is of the GPS monitor used to track certain categories of offenders on probation and parole, including violent sexual predators.

The goal is to enhance community safety by providing information and resources to the community. Surveys given to attendees will help measure community opinion on the four main topic areas.

North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene will host the first Safe Communities: Planning for the Future meeting on Sept. 8 as part of its Popcorn Forum in the Lake Coeur d'Alene Room of the Student Union Building. Albertson College of Idaho in Caldwell hosts on Sept. 12 in the Langroise Auditorium. Idaho State University Student Union Ballroom is the site of the Sept. 29 meeting and Boise State University will be the host site for an Oct. 13th meeting. The location at BSU is to be announced.

The department focused this series of meetings on the four communities with the largest number of offenders on probation and parole. All the meetings are scheduled from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Co-sponsors for the forums include: North Idaho College, Tony Stewart, Rep. Mike Mitchell. Rep. John Rusche, Rep. George Eskridge, Rep. George Sayler, Rep. Mary Lou Shepherd, Sen. Michael Jorgenson, Sen. John Goedde, Albertson College of Idaho, Dr. John Thuerer, Rep. Darrell Bolz, Sen. Monty Pearce, Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, Rep. Kathy Skippen, Idaho State University, Dr. Linda Hatzenbuehler, Sen. Denton Darrington, Rep. Donna Boe, Sen. Brent Hill, Boise State University, Dr. Michael Blankenship, Rep. Anne Pasley-Stuart, Rep. Wendy Jaquet, Sen. Elliot Werk, Rep. Donna Pence, Rep. Kathie Garrett, Rep. Steve Smylie, Rep. Nicole LeFavour, Rep. Leon Smith and The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

For more information: contact Public Information Officers, Teresa Jones: 208-658-2138 or Melinda O'Malley Keckler 208-658-2141.