Right time to approve bond issue

There are many safety, security and space concerns about Johnson County's existing courthouse and jail that make the proposed justice center a critical ballot issue in the May 7 election.

Concerns include safety risks for deputies and inmates caused by crowded jail conditions, no way to provide secure courthouse entrances, and insufficient space and design in the courthouse to keep prisoners separated from the general public.

As a volunteer with the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee, I'm convinced that the Board of Supervisors used a thoughtful and open process in developing plans for the proposed justice center. The cost has been pared down from $72 million to the current $43.5 million bond request.

It has been done by eliminating non-critical space and reducing the number of courtrooms and jail beds. The $43.5 million bond request represents the absolute minimum for providing a safe, secure, and functional justice center.

This is the right plan and the right time to approve this bond issue. Interest rates are at an all-time low and we can expect that current safety, security, and space issues will only get worse.

Also, more than $1 million is being spent annually to house prisoners in other counties. Keep in mind those in jail are presumed innocent until proven guilty, yet they don't have timely access to legal representation when they're in jails in other counties.

Larry T. Wilson

Iowa City