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77 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, September 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 29, 2004 County commission decides to refill justice director post By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune Commissioners have rejected a plan to give the sheriff control of all inmates in Jackson County. The board of commissioners Wednesday approved the hiring of a new director of the county’s parole and probation department, known as Community Justice. Finding a replacement for the current director, Bob Grindstaff, had been put off while Sheriff Mike Winters made a bid to bring Community Justice under the arm of his department. "I just absolutely believe that this is the way it needs to be done," Winters said, adding that several other Oregon counties place parolees and probationers under jurisdiction of the sheriff. A citizen’s committee charged with examining the sheriff’s proposal told commissioners that one of the single biggest problems in the county’s criminal justice system was the lack of jail beds. That committee recommended reopening the county’s former 85-bed correctional facility near Talent, which was closed a year ago on account of budget difficulties. Commissioners last week lent their support to reopening the jail. Citing an overall reduction in criminal re-offenses and the lack of clear evidence that the sheriff could save money by directing two departments, the citizens committee did not recommend his proposal. Officials also took a closer look at the sheriff’s claims that dangerous criminals were housed in Community Justice work camps. Advertisement Commissioner Sue Kupillas said she reviewed records of offenders housed at the forest camp near Ruch and confirmed that none had a dangerous criminal history. However, the board said they wanted to more closely define the criteria for criminals working near Ruch. When the camp opened, Community Justice officials told Ruch residents that most offenders would be serving time for driving under the influence, possession of drugs and petty theft. Since that time, the forest camp has housed criminals convicted of domestic assault, burglary, vehicle theft, eluding police, strong-arm robbery, harassment and unlawful possession of a weapon, Community Justice officials said. Reach reporter Sarah Lemonat 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities