NORTH CARROLLTON — When I met Haley Barbour, he was running for governor for the first time in 2003. It was at the Black Hawk political rally here in Carroll County.
I have to give him credit. He is good at one- on-one politics. I believe that he is as much at ease whether at a rural political rally or a corporate boardroom.
A year ago, I figured he would be making national headlines when 2012 came around. I ended up being right about the former governor making headlines (what I figured was he would be running for president), but I was wrong about the kind of headlines he would make. It would be from the pardons that he made during the last days of his governorship.
I disagree totally with these pardons. In a way, it is hard to understand. It sounds like something out of a John Grisham novel. It just doesn't match up with the man whom I first met at that political rally here over eight years ago.
With any decision comes consequences. History will have to decide how this will play out as far as Barbour's legacy as the state's chief executive is concerned.
These pardons, though, should not affect the use of inmate labor. The use of inmate labor has benefited this state and a lot of local towns and county governments, if the inmates are used correctly.
I know this from firsthand experience. Several years ago, when I was mayor of North Carrollton, we used inmate labor from the Carroll-Montgomery Correctional Facility in Vaiden. From cutting grass to putting up Christmas decorations, picking up litter to whatever the job may be, they were able to do it. I found out there is a lot of knowledge that these trusties have about labor in different areas. It saves money. Where else is government going to get free labor? In the day we live in now, where budgets are being cut and services are being cut, it is more important that local and state governments look at cost-saving measures.
Any inmate work program has to be carried out correctly. There should not be any violent offenders doing trusty work. The big factor is having trained and responsible guards to oversee the inmates. Also it is good for the prisoners to work. As much as it costs to house prisoners, a work program for them only makes sense.
Gov. Phil Bryant decided to discontinue the use of inmate labor at the Governor's Mansion, but he is now having to seek $119,0000 for 18 months to replace the labor. This shows that using the inmate labor is the more conservative approach. It is needed now more than ever as a cost savings and, at the same time, getting good work done. There is no telling how much money inmate labor has saved counties and cities across this state over the years.
I supported inmate labor and dealt with it firsthand years ago. The key is if it is handled correctly. Having citizens safe is the first and foremost concern. I still support inmate labor today. It would be a shame if a bunch of pardons that shouldn't have happened in the first place ended the good work that has and can still be done.
• Ken Strachan, a Democrat, is the Carroll County coroner and a former mayor of North Carrollton.
