Sheriff Hodgson is neglecting local community

Apr 22, 2019

To the Editor: 

As indicated by Sheriff Hodgson's response to the public's questions at the recent mandatory 287(g) meeting at the Faunce Corner House of Correction, he is more conversant and concerned with the southern border immigration issue then he is about providing drug treatment, remedial programs and medical attention to the hundreds of incarcerated people in his Bristol County facilities.

Participating with and providing assistance to ICE, while paying inadequate attention and resources to the greater population in his custody does not keep our community safe. To the contrary, ignoring and not implementing proven treatment and programs to lower recidivism rates puts the community at greater risk to its safety, increases taxes and is a continuing penalization of families that have to subsidize inflated canteen prices, unreasonable phone charges and frequently having to witness physical harm and detention, and post detention, suicides of family members.

The Sheriff consistently refers to the drug problem that is the most significant factor in crime commission in Bristol County.  But he refuses to participate in the evaluations and remedies available in medically treated addiction modes, rehabilitative, re-entry, counseling and vocational programs on a grand scale. Providing only some of the incarcerated with these advantages is not sufficient!

Sheriff Hodgson, if your commitment is safety, make our community your top priority and allow the Federal authorities to pursue their objectives unaided by a sheriff who is neglecting his mandated responsibilities to his own community!

Betty I. Ussach