Barry County Circuit Court Judge Amy McDowell explained a new effort to provide a place for people to go when they are released from jail at 12:01 a.m. with no where to go, or back into the same environment they were in when they got into trouble with the law.
She told the Hastings City Council Monday that she is part of a non-profit group that is looking for a house for up to eight non-violent, non-sex offenders near enough to the city to walk to get essentials for those without driver’s licenses or transportation. There would be tasks and specific house rules to follow. Obviously, there here be no alcohol or criminal activity at the house, she said
The effort will help bring court compliance; when people are released back into the same situation they were in, it’s a lot of pressure on them.
“Housing makes it easier for them to comply; they have no jobs, can’t pay child support, they can’t pay fines. This is a nice fit for what we have going on now. It really motivates them to change in other ways, too.”
“The main thing is community support,” she said. To raise awareness about what they are doing, they will have a booth at the Barry County Fair and a fundraising dinner in August.
If successful with the first housing for men, they will arrange for similar housing for women.
Specialty courts, including the adult drug court, Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation Program and 56th District Sobriety Court, which have a success rate of 80 percent, need a house, she said. The stays at the house would be transitional with lengths of time from three to six months, with a full time residential manager.
Who goes to the house is on a case by case basis; those who need it and those who have no place to go will go into the voluntary program.
“We are fortunate that we have businesses who will hire people who are on probation; with a job they have money to pay rent and get to where they can go on their own,” she said.
Housing in the area is limited and McDowell expects to get a house that will need repairs. They have volunteers who have offered to help, and will look for more. McDowell said they're moving full steam ahead. “We’re very excited about it.”
