For those local officials who are unwilling, or are absolutely opposed, to shuttering the Ash Street jail as proposed by Sheriff Heroux and a multitude of local community oriented committees, religious leaders and civic minded residents I question your motivation and seeming lack of attention or concern as to the financial, practical and humane considerations for this undertaking.
There is no merit or positive effect on the incarcerated, or the community, in maintaining an antiquated jail that has been historically violative of Department of Health regulations.
Sheriff Heroux, who is in the best position to judge the financial, rehabilitative and practical effects of closing this facility, has called upon those local elected officials to advocate and assist in making this a reality. And undoubtedly the many investigative articles that appeared in the newspapers corroborating the horrendous conditions at the jail motivated many voters to change the leadership of the Bristol County jail system.
By assisting or leading the charge in this endeavor will be an acknowledgment by our local elected officials that voters and community organizations are important in a democratic system.
Betty Ussach, Dartmouth
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