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Inmates take jobs, protesters complain Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Santa Claus, aka Dan Roberts of Talent, makes a plea to the Jackson County board of commissioners on Wednesday regarding inmate labor on a county construction job site in Medford. The demonstrators say the county shouldn't use jail labor for remodeling By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Dozens of protesters, including unemployed construction workers and old Saint Nick himself, gathered Wednesday morning to publicly criticize Jackson County's use of inmate labor. "I just don't think it's fair that somebody who got caught dealing drugs near my kid's school two weeks ago gets a job and I don't," said Mike Johnson, an unemployed Central Point construction worker with a family to support. "(Inmates) don't have to make house payments or buy food like the rest of us." Protesters were angered that the county was using inmates from the Community Justice Work Center to help remodel the old Safeway building on West Main Street. Representatives from various labor and action groups braved a cold drizzle in front of the old courthouse on Oakdale Avenue for the protest. Many later attended and spoke out at the weekly meeting of the board of commissioners. "Oregon's unemployment rate is the highest in the nation: 7.5 percent. They haven't considered the people who have been displaced," said Charles Smith, a representative from the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters. "They don't need to be putting taxpaying citizens out of a job." Jackson County accepted a $1,862,800 bid from Adroit Construction Co. for the majority of the remodel work in November. However, the county also agreed to pay $257,117 to the work center for inmate labor. Inmate workers will perform partial demolition and drywall installation. The remodel marks the first time inmates from the work center will work with drywall. According to Deputy County Administrator Dave Kanner, inmates typically perform trial maintenance, ditch digging, weed removal, masonry and mop-up work during fire season for the county or other agencies. When the remodel project is complete, the county-owned building will house parole and probation offices and the elections and emergency management departments. During the event, protesters held signs that read, "Help wanted. Apply in jail. No experience needed," and "Arrest me, I need a job," among others. Even Santa Claus was on hand, passing out candy canes to "sweeten the moment." "I think the community of Jackson County needs to know they've been victimized twice. First they commit the crimes and then they take away jobs," said Dan Roberts, a Talent resident who donned the a red suit and boots for the event. "The county is taking away jobs that need to go to the taxpayers." But community justice director Bob Grindstaff maintains the county inmates does not compete for contracted jobs. Inmates who perform construction and similar jobs, Grindstaff added, lessen the burden on the community by learning valuable life and job skills. The work program also cuts back on the recidivism rate, he added. "They actually get a chance to do something productive," he said. "For many offenders, it's part of the healing process." Inmates aren't paid for the work they perform. Grindstaff said their labor is a voluntary form of restitution. The money paid to the work center is used for materials and staff supervision. The remainder returns to the community justice department's budget. Prisoners do, however, receive $1 for each day on the job. The money allows inmates to buy items such as toothbrushes or coffee. While working, inmates are covered by the county's general liability insurance and under supervision at all times, Kanner said. "Incarceration is supposed to involve rehabilitation," Kanner said. "We would like them to return to society with life and work skills." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.