[Source: “Justice center design still in conceptual stage,” Press Citizen, 6 April 2013, Letter to the Editor by Dwight Dobberstein. This is the full content of originally submitted article.] On May 7th voters will decide the fate of the proposed Johnson County Justice Center. Voters deserve assurance that a “yes” vote will result in a building […]
[Source: “County can’t afford to wait any longer,” Press Citizen, 6 April 2013, Letter to the Editor by John Lundell] The proposed Johnson County courthouse enhancements and expansion of the jail need to be approved now. The thoughtful improvements will resolve long overdue security and legal system shortfalls in the courthouse and eliminate the costly […]
Source: “Johnson County justice-center plans draw community scrutiny,” Daily Iowan, 4 April 2013] Note: Fact boxes have been inserted to correct inaccuracies or misconceptions in the story below. * * * Johnson County justice-center plans draw community scrutiny BY QUENTIN MISIAG | APRIL 04, 2013 5:00 AM It was originally billed as a casual Wednesday […]
[Source: “Johnson County Justice Center Would Make More Room for Jail Diversion,” GGAN-TV CBS 2 Iowa, 3 April 2013] IOWA CITY, IA (CBS2/FOX28) — Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness read the list of charges for inmates in the Johnson County Jail on a given day, trying to make a point. “Next one, robbery, first (degree). […]
[Source: “Talk centers on how center would affect diversion programs,” Press Citizen, 3 April 2013] Johnson County’s case expediting program — which identifies jail inmates who can be safely released before their next court date — lowered the jail population by an average of 6.1 inmates per day in fiscal year 2012. “We have staff […]
[Source: “Report Reveals Benton County Security Concerns,” By Jill Kasparie, Reporter, KCRG, 3 April 2013] VINTON, Iowa – A new report noted concerns with the Benton County Courthouse security system. This comes as anxieties grow across the country. Wednesday in West Virginia, someone gunned down a sheriff in a courthouse parking lot. Last month, two prosecutors […]
[Source: “Johnson County Iowa – Incarceration and Racial Disparity – Causes and Solutions,” ResourcesForLife.com, 1 April 2013, by Greg Johnson] The justice system in Johnson County seems to be disproportionately arresting and incarcerating people simply on the basis of race. (Source: “Time to correct underlying causes of jail overcrowding,” Press Citizen, 31 March 2013) Once […]
[Source: “Before you cast a vote, tour the county jail, courthouse,” Press Citizen, 31 March 2013, by Shams Ghoneim] The county’s 32-year-old jail was designed with a capacity of 46 inmates — a number that reached 92 when jail officials decided to double bunk. The inmate daily average, however, has exceeded 170 and is reaching 200. […]
[Source: “Human Rights Does Humane Thing,” John Deeth Blog, 20 March 2013] Jail opponent Jeff Cox’s attempt to get the Iowa City Human Rights Commission to oppose the May 7 justice center referendum backfired when the commission voted not to take a stance. Indeed, at least one member seemed inclined toward the yes position: Commission […]
[Source: “‘My proposal is that we not take a stance,’ board member says,” Press Citizen, 19 March 2013] Iowa City’s Human Rights Commission will not take a stance against the proposed justice center. One of the center’s opponents, University of Iowa history professor Jeff Cox, asked the commission at its Feb. 19 meeting to oppose […]
[Source: “Public to vote again on justice center,” Press Citizen, 14 Feb 2013] The public will be voting a second time on the proposed justice center. The Johnson County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to put the $43.5 million justice center bond referendum before the public during a special election May 7. The proposal is […]
[Source: “Johnson County to Bring Justice Center Back to Ballot,” KGAN-TV CBS 2 Iowa, 3 January 2013] IOWA CITY, IA (CBS2/FOX28) — Johnson County is planning to bring the vote for a new justice center back to the ballot, but this time, with a smaller price tag. The Johnson County Board of Supervisors is tentatively […]
Written by Lee Hermiston Iowa City Press-Citizen Since 2001, nearly every county that borders Johnson — Linn, Iowa, Washington, Cedar and Muscatine — has built a new jail or justice center or has added on to and improved its existing jail. And Johnson County Board of Supervisors chairman Rod Sullivan says taxpayers here have helped […]
Iowa City Press-Citizen July 14, 2012 Our View Earlier this year, the Press-Citizen Editorial Board identified 10 issues to watch in 2012. Here is the fifth in a series of editorials analyzing how those issues look nearly six months later. Building the case for a Justice Center * What we said six months ago: “Johnson […]
[Source: “New Tailgating Rules Will Mean More Citations, Fewer Trips to Jail to Prevent Overcrowding,” KCRG TV9, 23 August 2010] IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa’s recent announcement to take a tougher approach in enforcing the law during tailgating and home football games has drawn concerns of potential safety issues and overcrowding in the […]
