I seriously do not know what the anti-Authority/anti-Justice people think that they have gained? The police are going to continue arresting people at the same rate they are now. The only thing they accomplished is guarantee that those arrested will be shipped like cattle to other counties. That those working and visiting the courthouse will […]
[Source: “If you haven’t done so already, go vote today,” Press Citizen, 7 May 2013, by the Press Citizen Editorial Board] Today is the third election this year in the Johnson County area. In February, a little more than 8 percent of eligible voters in the Iowa City Community School District came out to approve a […]
[Source: “Vote ‘yes’ then volunteer at jail,” Press Citizen, 6 May 2013, by Patricia Knox] For four years I have been a volunteer at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in the Oakdale Prison Community Choir. In the winter of 2009, I took the basic workshop offered by the Alternatives to Violence Project that was […]
[Source: “Johnson County justice center: If not now, then when?,” Press Citizen, 5 May 2013, by Dave Parsons] On the bright side, it appears that everyone now agrees on the need for updated and expanded courthouse and jail facilities in Johnson County. Yet somehow there are a number of factions with competing agendas (some mutually […]
[Source: “Do the right thing on justice center,” Press Citizen, 5 May 2013, by Jim McCarragher] The $43.5 million bond issue in Tuesday’s election is a public safety issue. It proposes a secure justice center combining the sheriff’s office, jail and court-related offices, all attached to the existing Johnson County Courthouse. Our historic courthouse and […]
[Source: “Make courthouse ADA-compliant,” Press Citizen, 3 May 2013, by Karla Smith] I am so proud to live in a community that feels it is important to have a safe and easily accessible courthouse that meets the guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act. A courthouse with enough courtrooms to be able to give our citizens […]
[Source: “New jail for 195 inmates is immediately necessary,” Press Citizen, 3 May 2013, by John Whiston, a Clinical Professor at the University of Iowa College of Law.] Every year, my students represent about 100 people charged with indictable misdemeanors. I would be one of the first to say that over-incarceration of non-violent offenders is a real […]
[Source: “Proposed justice center would be highly efficient,” Press Citizen, 1 May 2013, by Lonny Pulkrabek, sheriff of Johnson County.] In November of 2005, Johnson County received a report from the Durrant Group that looked at this project and looked at four different locations: • Site 1 was at the existing courthouse and gave a cost […]
[Source: “Don’t just kick the can down the road,” Press Citizen, 1 May 2013, by Steve Dolezal] A justice center bond referendum is on the ballot Tuesday, and it’s important that the citizens of Johnson County vote “yes” and support this much-needed building. The current jail was built to house 46 inmates and expanded throughout the […]
[Source: “County Dems support justice center bond,” Press Citizen, 30 April 2013, by Mike Carberry] Johnson County desperately needs to upgrade the quality of our justice infrastructure. We need a justice center that is safe, disability-accessible and secure on both sides of the judicial bench. We do not have this now. We are one of […]
[Source: “Justice center is not just a ‘jail’ issue,” Press Citizen, 30 April 2013, by Leroy Nida] I want talk about some of the issues I hear associated with a new justice center. First, I want to point out this is not just a “jail” issue; it is also a courthouse issue. Johnson County would […]
[Source: “New Vote,” Gazette Editorial Board, 28 April 2013] Just a few months after Johnson County voters declined to approve a bond to build a new justice center, the issue is back on the ballot for May 7. Although the proposal has changed slightly in response to critics’ concerns about size, cost and design, our […]
[Source: “Courthouse needs to be updated,” Press Citizen, 28 April 2013, by Paul Burns] The Johnson County courthouse was built at a time when the county’s population was five times smaller and electric lighting was still considered a modern wonder. It is a beautiful building but it doesn’t function well as a working courthouse. We […]
[Source: “Right time to meet Johnson County’s needs,” Gazette, 27 April 2013, by Jim McCarragher] Johnson County’s 112-year-old historic courthouse and 30-year-old jail are outdated, and represent a threat to public safety, security and access to justice. The $43.5 million bond referendum on May 7 would pay for a new, much-needed Justice Center that combines […]
[Source: “Center will improve safety, security,” Press Citizen, 26 April 2013] I’m directing this letter to University of Iowa students; before you cast your vote regarding the justice center, make sure you are basing your decision off of facts and not speculation or hearsay. Despite what you may have heard, the current jail is not […]
[Source: “CrimeStoppers supports center,” It has been known for some time that the Iowa City population is fast growing; however, we all may have become complacent as to the generally law-abiding behavior of our community. In 2007, the residents in a west Iowa City neighborhood were brought up short with a home invasion, burglary and […]
[Source: “Think about the 92 and vote ‘yes’,” Press Citizen, 25 April 2013] I know and respect many of those opposing the proposed county justice center; however, what I find most puzzling are their twin claims that keeping an old, poorly ventilated, small and cramped jail will enhance the well-being of inmates and limit excessive […]
[Source: “Justice center is a needed first step,” Press Citizen, 25 April 2013] As a retired paramedic, I support the justice center issue. I believe the opinions of officers, lawyers and judges about making the courthouse safer and more accessible for all of us. We spend too much money housing prisoners in surrounding jails. What […]
