Chance Was Slim
For Work Camp

The Herald's front page article of March 1 begins with the following: "Barely six days after the formation of a citizens group opposed to corrections Department work camp in Randolph, the Selectboard bowed to the pressure and agreed unanimously to tell the state that the town is not interested any more."

I wish to dispute the notion that the Selectboard "bowed to the pressure" of a small group of Randolph citizens and non-citizens who were vociferously opposed to the idea of a corrections work camp in Randolph. These few citizens were vocal, emotionally involved, and potentially divisive.

Since the Selectboard moved not to proceed with considering the idea of a work camp, I received several calls and comments from Randolph citizens expressing disappointment with the board’s decision. I will here present a different view, which might better represent the reasons for the Selectboard’s decision.

First, the town would have no guarantee that any work camp would remain a work camp, but might expand to become a larger maximum security facility in the future. While this would be a remote possibility, Randolph would always need to be watchful of what the legislature might have in mind, given the current crowding of prisons in Vermont.

Second, no site is clearly available for a work camp. For the state to site a work camp would have meant working with the state to search for a suitable site. The landfill site, often mentioned, needs to be reserved for future landfill use, which would take a higher priority. Randolph is a big town geographically; however, any site out of the water and sewer district would present additional challenges for in-ground septic systems etc.

Third, the work camp was never a clear possibility. Other towns with more available land are also under consideration. While Randolph was under consideration, we had no guarantees that the state was hot to give Randolph the first refusal. For this reason alone the Selectboard held only two public meetings on the possibility of a work camp, and did not use much energy in promoting it.

In the end the work camp was only a remote possibility for the town. The Selectboard was aware of the committed folks from Randolph and surrounding towns using much negative energy to oppose a work camp and saw the town becoming divided over what ultimately could be a non-issue. The Board didn’t believe it was worth the fight.

Personally, I support a work camp for Randolph. I applaud the Department of Corrections for attempting rehabilitative solutions for offenders. I could even accept a work camp in my neighborhood. I’ve lived in Woodstock where for many years a "maximum" security prison existed in the down town. The residents hardly gave it a second thought. I believe if Randolph were host to a work camp, once established, most people would hardly notice it except for the assets it would provide.

Steve M. Springer

Randolph Selectman