PINE BLUFF -- Pine Bluff officials have continued debating about whether or not inmate laborers and parolees should help tear down dilapidated houses.
The city council decided to put off voting on the related resolution Monday night. After the meeting, Pine Bluff Mayor Debe Hollingsworth said there apparently were "a few council members wanted a little more time to understand the concept," the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (http://bit.ly/1kSELO7 ) reported.
If the resolution passes, the city will partner with the Arkansas Department of Community Correction to carry out a three-year pilot labor program that involves about 40 felons from Jefferson County.
Kevin Murphy, assistant director of re-entry and volunteer services at the community correction department, said the inmates would learn job skills and how to prepare for life outside of prison.
"These people will be identified as some of the most likely to re-offend, so we want to take special care with making sure they have all the tools they need to succeed in life after prison," Murphy said.
He said the program would be beneficial for the community and the participants.
"It's very difficult to take on life when you are a felon on parole," Murphy said. "We hope to make a difference in their lives. It's going to be a win-win for everyone involved."
Hollingsworth said home demolitions cost the city about $90,000 each year. There are currently about 600 houses scheduled for demolition and it's projected to take several years to finish them all.
Some city aldermen expressed concern that the project would take business away from local contractors, but Hollingsworth assured them the city would continue to advertise contracting bids.
"I still think it isn't fair for contractors who have been working in the city for many years," Alderman Thelma Walker said. "These are people who have a lot invested in this community."
State Desk on 08/20/2014