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The building, which could cost about $3.5 million to $4 million to construct, would house inmates who live in Ross and contiguous counties who return to the area from prisons around the state, according to Teri Minney, parole service regional supervisor for the Adult Parole Authority in Chillicothe.

"We're looking at this as more than a 'halfway house,' but rather a center that serves the community by treating all of the offender's needs," said Minney.

"There is already a need for substance abuse counseling, for career counseling and for many other things that offenders need as they come out of prison. This facility will meet those needs."

The halfway house would be located close to CCI's fence, but not inside the prison's current grounds. The land already is owned by the state and would be off Gateway Drive and the Gateway Industrial Park, north of Chillicothe and just off Ohio 104.

The plan for the site is to house 75 offenders total, with about 10 to 12 of those beds housing sex offenders. About 20 to 25 beds will house female offenders, said Alicia Handwerk, chief of the Bureau of Community Sanctions.

Construction could begin within a year and the first offenders would start moving in 2009. The center will be fenced in, but not part of the current prison.

Handwerk and Minney said the state has talked with the Union-Scioto school system, the Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce and local law enforcement. They've also reached out to other businesses and impacted communities in the area and will continue to do so, according to Minney.

"We're talking with them and listening to their concerns and needs," said Handwerk. "We want to have discussions that will help answer questions."

For example, state officials admitted that housing sex offenders would likely create concern for local residents. Handwerk and Minney said they plan to have sex offenders wear Global Positioning Satellite leg bands to help monitor them and are discussing other restrictions.

The center could help alleviate a problem as many sex offenders don't have homes to go to when they are released and have difficulty complying with registration laws. The center would provide a place for them to live and get acclimated.

"We're not talking about 75 sex offenders or a bunch of sex offenders from other parts of the state," said Handwerk.

Ross County Common Pleas Judge Wm. Jhan Corzine is a believer in the center.

"It gives me another tool in my belt," he said. "There's a very clear need in this community to give the offenders a more rounded treatment approach."

Minney said about 85 percent of all inmates released from prison plan to go home.

"We need a good plan to help reintegrate them to be productive citizens

The center would create about 20 to 25 new jobs in the area and could create an opportunity for internships for criminal justice students from Ohio University-Chillicothe and other colleges.

"There's also a great opportunity for partnerships in the community," said Minney. "We want to work with faith-based groups for mentoring and other services and other community organizations to help give the offenders the help they need."

The state would not only assume the construction costs, but also supply the operating costs after the center opens.

http://www.chillicothegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070926/NEWS01/709260301/1002>