Inmate halfway home proposed for Belhaven Heights - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Inmate halfway home proposed for Belhaven Heights

The building located at 789 Harris Street in Belhaven Heights was once used as an equipment storage facility for the FBI.

Now, the "City of Faith Ministry," based out of Monroe, La., hopes to turn the empty space into a halfway home. It would house up to forty non-violent federal inmates with six months or less to serve.

Belhaven Heights resident Rainey Latham said she's not so worried about non-violent offenders in her neighborhood.

"If they're addicted to drugs or things, regular civilians go to a halfway house so they get second chances so I guess everybody should deserve one," said Latham.

"Those who live with us have not committed any crime involving sexual offenses or those against children. We chose the Jackson location for its accessibility to public transportation, employment opportunities and treatment locations for the residents," said Terry Williams, the Executive Director for City of Faith. "We have other, extremely successful properties in Monroe, La., and Little Rock, Ark., where we partner with the communities, allowing our residents to help in volunteer capacities and in other positive ways."

Larry Thurman has lived in the Belhaven area for more than a decade. Thurman said he's not opposed to the halfway home and believes people need to be more concerned about who lives right next door.

"I mean you never know who you're living next door to sometimes and even though a person has been identified as an offender you never know the potentiality of your neighbor," said Thurman.

Officials from City of Faith will meet with the City of Jackson's Planning Board in the Hood Building Wednesday afternoon to discuss the proposed halfway home.

If the board approves the idea, the halfway home discussion will then go before the full city council.

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