When discussing his budget with the Marshall County Council Monday morning, Sheriff Matt Hassel asked for the council’s consideration of approving the salary of Jail Chemical Addiction Program Director Josh Pitts in the Jail LIT Special Purpose Fund for $57,328.
The position was paid for by a grant that is no longer supported by the Attorney General’s Office. Hassel has argued that Pitts has been a huge asset to the county in getting inmates the help they need to stop the cycle of recidivism.
He noted that if the county had to contract for the weekly classes and counseling offered by Pitts, he said it would cost the county $5,400 a week.
As a result of hiring Pitts in this role, he has asked Purdue University Extension representatives to provide programs to the inmates to give them additional skills in order to better their life. Health and Human Sciences Director Karen Richey told the council members that she has been providing educational programs every Wednesday since October 2020.
“I can honestly say I have seen morale and mental health being stimulated by educational programs being brought in from the outside,” commented Richey. “I think that’s a positive in respect to an individual’s humanity.”
Among other programs, Richey teaches an INWork curriculum that is provided by Purdue University.
Richey said, “It is a series of seven sessions that really talk about teamwork, how you re-enter into the business world, resume writing, cover letters, all of that type of thing.”
She is also involved with personality assessments and budgeting programs, and she is able to provide certification to inmates if they successfully pass a hands-only CPR class, and a certification that goes along with the ServSafe food handler program.
The council members took the request under consideration and will make the determination during their September meeting when they hold a hearing on the budget.
