If the federal government has its way, Marshalltown will soon be the recipient of a new facility for prisoners transitioning back into the community.
The Iowa Correctional Association submitted a proposal last week to the city and Marshall County for building a federal halfway house on property located at 408 S. 12 Ave., formerly home to Yellow Freight Systems.
Pennsylvania-based FireTree Ltd., a non-profit corporation specializing in public re-entry, would release federal offenders in the city of Des Moines as well as Marshall, Polk, Story or Warren Counties.
The facility would operate five years with an estimated 46 beds for males and 12 beds for females by end of the contract term.
Offenders will include those transferred into the release program or committed directly to serve short sentences, and prisoners under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office. Participants in the program will serve a minimum of four months.
The company is in the process of securing necessary zoning approvals and permits with construction slated to begin on April 1, 2010.
"I want to make certain the public is aware that this facility is proposed," said Mayor Gene Beach. "[The city council] could pass a resolution saying we, as a community, are opposed to it but this is a federal issue so if they want it here, it's probably going to be here."
People who wish to comment on the matter may contact Edgar Stanton, Contract Specialist for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, 320th 1st St. N.W., Washington DC 20534, by phone at 202-307-3070 or email at estanton@bop.gov.
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Contact Tammy R. Lawson at 641-753-6611 or tlawson@timesrepublican.com
