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McMahan voices support for work crews
Department of Correction Secretary Alvin Keller picked up some support for the Community Service Work Crews program that saw its $4.8 million in funding eliminated in the state's 2009-11 budget. The program provided inmate labor to local governments at no cost. NCACC First Vice President Brian McMahan said the program provided a lot of value to counties and pressed for commissioners to lobby for those funds to be returned to the state budget. "From a county standpoint, I don't know how many times we've utilized inmate labor on different projects that have great benefit to us as counties and for the community as a whole," said McMahan, who chairs the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. "It's sad to say but a lot of times there are very talented people in [prison] that have a lot of great skills, and it's good to be able to utilize them." The state budget did include a provision to allow the Department of Correction to levy a $150 per day fee for use of those work crews. But, Keller said, "when the General Assembly cut those funds, they cut my ability to maintain the 127 supervisors that went along with those crews." "I would be interested in working to try to provide that to you again," McMahan said of the program. "It's very valuable and offers so many positives on all different levels." |