South coast firefighters getting help from unlikely source
NORTH BEND, Ore. -- When you call 911, most people expect police, firefighters or paramedics to show up.
But what about inmates?
Inmates from the Shutter Creek Correctional Facility in North Bend are now on-call to assist some south coast fire departments in large fires.
Shutter Creek supervisor Tim Causey says the inmates will show up to help with ladders and hoses when needed, but they aren't actually going to be fighting any fires. "In the last couple of months, we've been called out a couple of times, or at least put on notice that they might need some assistance," he said. "They're out there giving assistance and helping with the clean up and the aftermath of rolling up of hoses and getting thing put together. So, it's more labor than it is fire fighting."
Two-thirds of Shutter Creeks inmates qualify to go out and help firefighters.
Fire departments in Hauser, North Bay and Lakeside are the ones who use the inmates the most, according to authorities.
They don't* allow
My husband spent 70mos-day for day, no good time (6yrs!) In prison. When people see he's a felon, they only see "convicted of assault 2.. violent crime". But if they read his paperwork, they'd find out he was convicted of that assault because he severely beat the 30yr old man that raped his 17yr old sister. He spent some time in Shutter Creek and was out on the work crews. They do don't allow scum bags out on those details. No child molesters, rapists, babyshakers or men that they deem dangerous to the community. And spending six years in hell, my husband has told me about all the scum bags locked up, but he will also testify that there are plenty of good ppl in prison that just got caught up in the wrong scene or were young and dumb. We spend some holidays camping with his prison buddies that have paroled and they are good men that have changed their lives around. My husband (convicted of assault) wielded an ax and worked the fire truck detail. He is a good, honest, hard working, devoted family man. I see nothing wrong with letting inmates work outside of prison on service details such as this. There are good men in prison. They're not all scandalous dangerous scumbags.
I say cool if they're low-risk inmates, but what are the reprecussions if they get injured???
I think that everyone deserves a second chance. The choice needs to be determined on alot of things first. Can't have a convicted murder do the job but maybe a drug dealer that is trying to change or someone with a smaller rap sheet with none violent crimes on it. It could work. If the choices were made correctly. There are people out there that really know they have made bad choices and just need someone to believe in them and give them a second chance. What a way for them to get that OPPORTUNITY to do this.
Not at my house!!!!!!! They are INMATES for a reason. They aren't suppose to be out and about. They are suppose to be in JAIL!!
Its used as a rehabilitation program.... And as a FIREFIGHTER and a Crew Boss for the Forest service, I have worked along side of inmates and found that when these guys get out, they have nothing at all and no one to hire or want to hire them...especially ones that have been in so long they have no prior work experience. This is a way to get them ready to be back in society after being institutionalized and gives them something to look forward to (JOB) and gives them hope that they were meant for something and someone does appreciate what they do!!! All in all turns the bad good PERIOD!!!!
if they allow you to go out on work crew then you're most likely not a risk. Its a good thing to get thes guys out of there cell and doing something productive. I enjoyed outside work crew and learned alot of it from when i was jail
I would say if they are not kills or perverts then I think it is a good idea.
Everyone is so close minded and quick to judge. Imagine if it was your family members who were locked up and had a chance to do something positive, I bet you would change your mind then..
Yes. What Shelby J said. Another thing to look at, by using inmates to help , ( not replace) fire fighters, the safety of the firemen is increased by the firemen not being so overloaded with little necessities that can by done by the inmates. Plus they are costing money and this gives a return on that cash.
No!!
Juvenile court / adult court. Depending on when you got caught messing up.
All I can say to you people that had bad stuff to say about this program is, grow up open your eyes. You once were a reckless person who messed up here and there. Did things you shouldn't have, and caught and had to give back to society, some of you learned your lesson. Right? Thanks to what ever the juvenile court you went thru, and or maybe a program your parents made up for you to do. You people need to know most people can and do change. If you have they can. On a serious note these are petty criminals they are putting to work!!!!!!
There are some inmates there that need things like this. Just because they are in prison doesn't mean they are axe murderers or thieves. Some are good people who happened to get caught. We have all sinned, some are just luckier then others to not get caught! They are well supervised, and would not be doing the duty if they were not to be trusted. It's a minimal camp not lock down maximum prison. I'm more scared of the Douglas County Inmates out working on the freeways then these inmates!
I'm sorry but look up what they're in there for and ask ur self if u called 911 u would want them to respond. He'll no.
Assisting people in their time of need is an honor. An honor that they have not earned. They should be helping the community, but there is plenty of other stuff for them to do.
I like it!
Amen Shelby, it is better to help them get back their self-worth when they have earn the right of trust from their authorities. It works well here!
It's a great idea. First, high risk offenders would most likely not be the ones responding. Second, let them give back to the community. Give them a sense of self worth that maybe they did not have before. They are still human and were not born with the intention to commit crime. Treat them with a little respect and maybe they will be motivated to do better with their lives.
i do not agree with this at all
lets give them money an let them go shopping to while they are at it? lmao wtf, leave them in jail. they are there for a reason
exactly. crimes on children or convicted of murder- Would not be eligible for a work release program. You people with negative comments should get educated about which institutions would be starting a program such as the one in this article. ALSO, EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE. Dont be so quick to judge. Loneliness, feelings of no self worth... regret... are only a few of what an inmate feels and thinks about. perhaps a program like this for the inmates would benefit all.
It seems to me that its good. at least their being monitored where as the acts that they did to get where they are now....they obviously were not monitored. cant hide the fact that the county cant deal with all the crimes....lets put them to work. Make them productive. I mean cmon....their not going to release a murderer or child abuser on a work release program.....
Let me see, should I give an inmate a ladder, a long hose and a spanner wrench? Hell, give him the fire truck also, so he can drive away from the jail he just climbed out of.
depending on the severity of the crime then yes let them do it so they can also get the traing if they want it. Sharlette it wouldn't be any worse than havinf an ex-con living next to you
NO thanks!
I dont want any inmates around my property or family!!
I don't want any inmates around my children nor my neighbors children. This is not a good idea. Who ever put this in effect obviously don't have kids.
I think its just taking away jobs from good American people! Have the inmates continue picking up trash!
Amen,,,it is good for people that have made bad choices to know they might be capable of so much more,,,as long as they are not a threat to society,,,it should not be a problem,,,,People can change,,,but sometimes we have to show them how,,,
I say it depends on the crime that has been committed. If they do drugs rob or anything in that category, NO, but if its small and nothing big why not, get our teens into it too... where it needs to be stopped is when they are young when it all starts happening. So my opinion is yes, as long as that person hasn't committed a severe crime why not. Maybe it will turn there life around for the better.
Because cops (sheriffs) don't "case" the place
I don't see why not. I'm assuming they would be non-violent inmates and strict requirements to qualify.
Well my taxes pay for the professional response - so I don't need inmates knowing where I live.
I think that's a flight risk waiting to happen!