By John L. Ross
The Times-Tribune
CORBIN, Ky. — The drive down to KY-92 from the Whitley County Detention Center parking lot is a pretty one this time of year — the green is just starting to take hold, and there’s a little runoff creek flowing next to the road into the jail.
It almost seems like a journey back to civilization — and for many driving down that steep hill, it is.
And Jailer Brian Lawson wants to help as many inmates as possible regain their lives and take that journey back into society.
During the monthly meeting of the Whitley County UNITE Coalition Friday at Williamsburg City Hall, Lawson was the featured speaker.
He began speaking about his law enforcement and educational background, as well as family — Lawson has three children, the youngest of whom was by his side Friday.
“We need to be thinking about the future,” Lawson said, referring to his daughter. “(We need) to keep them on the right path.”
But if these children grow into adults who make decisions that lead them to the detention center — Lawson wants to afford those inmates the opportunity to change their behavior and their lives.
Lawson was elected to the jailer’s position last year — and since his takeover, several programs approved by the state’s Department of Correction have been implemented within the detention center walls.
“We’ve added and extended church services,” Lawson said, citing for an example that Monday nights are church service evenings for female inmates. “The more we can offer the better the chance to redirect lives.”
He currently has approximately 75 inmates in the facility — some of those inmates have the opportunity to participate in work release programs, Lawson said.
The jailer explained some of those release programs, including the often-seen litter crews and the local cemetery cleanup operation that continues. Talk has also been positive for an art program — grant dollars could be available for it, but word on the grant has yet been received.
But inmates are put to work in other ways.
Lawson said that during the slide at Jellico Creek, inmates were dispatched to assist at that scene — inmates were also on-hand during the multitude of snowstorms that plagues the region this past winter.
Some inmates are also involved in “the farm,” which allows them to work with horses — something considered therapeutic for the inmates.
And, these work release programs can provide assistance after a sentence gets completed. “Once they leave this facility they have a work trade, if they use it, to (come back) into the community,” Lawson said.
Currently with spring in full swing, Lawson said the jail’s garden program is in full force. With the assistance of Denver Bargo, several produce items are grown for use in-house — including more than 1,000 pounds of sweet potatoes.
The interesting point concerning work in the garden program? The jail is part of a “pilot program” to allow plants to grow in plastic.
“This is a really great thing,” Lawson said, explaining that they are working with the University of Kentucky Agricultural Extension office in Goldbug to implement this pilot farming program.
“(The garden) is all inmate-driven,” Lawson said. “All (the work) is done manually — it’s important for people to learn to work.”
But before the warmer temperatures were welcomed into the region — some of the eligible inmates participating in the work release programs were assisting with supplying wood during the frigid winter months.
Lawson said more than 150 loads of firewood were taken to the elderly, disabled and those less fortunate in the county. In one case, en elderly couple was discovered without any firewood and were making do by laying under several blankets to keep warm — wood was brought to this couple.
“It’s been rewarding for the inmates to know they’re making a difference in their community,” Lawson said, and added that inmate services are utilized in the cities of Corbin and Williamsburg, as well as throughout Whitley County.
The jail just went through its first inspection under Lawson’s watch. “(There were) no flaws,” he said. “They were pleased with that we’ve done with the facility.”
Lawson then introduced Carl Weaver, who works with the Re-entry Program at the jail — he’s also employed at the Laurel County Correctional Center in London.
Right now, Weaver said he assists with an aftercare service three nights a week at the Whitley detention center. Each of those nights, 10 eligible inmates are permitted to take part — right now, 26 inmates are involved with the aftercare service program. “We’re trying to keep jot at 30 (participants) at all times,” Weaver said.
He said that much of the crime stems from a drug addiction fueling criminal behavior — but that eligible inmates have access to work release programs, art therapy, faith-based initiatives, GED and adult education classes.
“Everybody wants to change,” Weaver said, stressing that “in no way are they not paying for their crimes.”
But what people tend to forget is that inmates often do finish their sentences and their time. “They’re going to be back in our community,” Weaver said. “They are a part of our community.”
Working together can make the community stronger, he feels.
“We cannot pick and choose who that community is,” he added. “If they are (part of) our community — we have to embrace them.”
He believes there are three ways to attack the problem facing inmates — spiritual, clinical and educational.
And drug rehabilitation services? They should be used by people willing to change, not just change geography, he said.
“We need to change (inmates’) thinking,” Weaver said. “We need to let people earn the opportunity for rehab services — (we need) to interrupt the criminal cycle for future generations.”
He added that Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison has plans in the works related to this — but no official announcement was made Friday.
“We need to snap this community out of this lethargic, defeated attitude,” Weaver said. “(These programs) are just the beginning.”
Lawson then resumed speaking to the group.
“What we’ve done in the past isn’t working,” he said, explaining that other avenues needed to be explored. “I think if these programs are utilized (it will) make a difference for years to come for our community.”
Weaver interjected, noting that all the materials brought into the inmate programs are Department of Correction recognized programs for moral reconnection therapy. Once some participating inmates prepare for their state prison sentence, they’ll be ahead of the game in completing their time.
Once the program was complete, UNITE Coalition members announced several upcoming events, including the luncheon with U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, Michael Botticelli, the “drug czar” for the country, and the head of AmeriCorps. That takes place May 5 in the Eastern Kentucky University building in Manchester. The luncheon highlights volunteers in the 5th Congressional District.
From 4-7 p.m. June 16, the Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball camp will take place at Lynn Camp.
Any school-age children are welcome to attend.
July 20 starts Camp UNITE, set on the University of the Cumberlands campus — it is the ninth camp held.