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May 28, 2008
PA: ”We can retain our freedom on the outside because of the people that are locked up in here”
”We can retain our freedom on the outside because of the people that are locked up in here,” said Commissioner Chairman Brian Smith. “That fight for freedom doesn’t stop in our armies,” he said, but includes judges, juries, public defenders, corrections officers and others. ”That’s why our prison was so important.”
Ribbon-cutting signals opening of the new facility
Mary Baldwin 22.MAY.08
The Weekly Almanac, Honesdale, PA
In his invocation at the ribbon-cutting for the new Wayne County Correctional Facility in Texas Township on Friday morning, the Rev. Edward Finn prayed for those who will be incarcerated there.
”Help them make positive decisions about their future,” he said.
Father Finn, senior priest at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Honesdale, was among those who were involved in the early stages of planning for the new facility, said Wayne County Commissioner Tony Herzog, who helped guide the county through a legal morass during the planning stages for the jail. Father Finn was “a very early advocate” of a “respectful place” where prisoners could meet with their attorneys and visitors or attend educational programs, Mr. Herzog said.
The commissioner also recognized the late county Chief Clerk Reg Wayman, current Chief Clerk Vicky Lamberton, and members of the committee that conducted a needs assessment for a new jail including former President Judge Robert J. Conway, Sheriff Charles Morelli and former Commissioner Mark Graziadio.
The old jail, Mr. Herzog said, “is not only costing the county money, but is not a proper way to conduct the county’s business.” The current jail on Court Street has no facilities for female prisoners so they have to be boarded in other counties at considerable expense to Wayne County.
He noted that the county was able to secure a $1 million state grant to offset the cost of the new jail. “That saved the taxpayers a lot of money,” Mr. Herzog said.
Mr. Herzog also commended the county’s correctional officers for “an outstanding job,” as well as the community for its “wonderful support.”
”We can retain our freedom on the outside because of the people that are locked up in here,” said Commissioner Chairman Brian Smith. “That fight for freedom doesn’t stop in our armies,” he said, but includes judges, juries, public defenders, corrections officers and others.
”That’s why our prison was so important.”
Commissioner Wendell Kay commented that the county was dedicating itself not only to a building on Friday but “to the safety and security of our community” as well as to “the true rehabilitation” of those who will be incarcerated there.
During the ceremony, Honesdale High School junior Sarah Tamburelli sang the national anthem and Sheriff Morelli cut a ribbon to officially open the jail as about 100 people watched.
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Posted by lois at May 28, 2008 04:30 PM