Pride in Moriah
TO THE EDITOR: My name is Joe Holland, and I am a cook at Moriah Shock Incarceration Facility. I believe most who work here feel pride and self worth.
A shock camp is for non-violent felons. It is an intensive six-month program that was exchanged for a much longer sentence, and this is the reason every 100 inmates paroled from this program saves the taxpayers approximately $3.01 million. In just 2009 alone, 350 inmates paroled to save taxpayers approximately $10.5 million. Moriah Shock saves more for taxpayers than it takes to run the facility.
Moriah Shock is not "just another jail." It is an alcohol, substance and treatment facility. Inmates also learn job skills, get their GED, take anger management programs and learn decision making and so much more than I have room to mention here. This is all to help them re-enter society and be successful. By not returning to prison, this once again saves the taxpayer more money. Less then 8 percent of shock parolees return to prison.
Work crews are also sent out into surrounding communities. There are regular duties and emergency help given when needed, like help with ice storms, wind and snow storms as well as floods and more. In just 2009 inmate work crews logged more than 943,580 man hours in Essex, Clinton and Franklin counties. At minimum wage, this once again saved taxpayers $709,395.
Did you know there is a new law that says judges can now bypass the district attorney and mandate shock incarceration? Isn't it putting the cart before the horse to close any shock camp before realizing how many inmates will be sentenced in this manner?
Last, and most important in my opinion, is the effect this will have on the areas surrounding Moriah Shock. Moriah Shock is the second-largest employer in Moriah. More then 90 percent of Moriah Shock's payroll goes back to Essex County in support of local business and taxes.
In closing I would like to say I did not write this letter to help save my job. I will have a job, even if a mistake is made by closing Moriah Shock. I am writing this because I firmly believe that Moriah shock helps communities, taxpayers and the inmates we send back out into society from the shock program.
Joe Holland
West Chazy
It was a joke
TO THE EDITOR: The recent SNL skit was hilarious. If the mayor and town supervisor can't take a joke well, too bad. SNL has made fun of anyone and everyone for 35 years. It's their job. It's about time someone in "New York" realizes they can do more up here besides closing prisons and parks. It is not the first time TV has made a jab at the town. Does anyone remember "Barney Miller?"
It was a joke. Lighten up!
Bryan Conroy
West Chazy
