November 23, 2008. We admit to not having too many facts about this situation, but based upon what we do know we think the state should keep both the men's and women's corrections camps at Oswego open.

We like the camp concept in which the men and women housed there are treated humanely but in a structured, disciplined environment where they can make positive, productive contributions to society.

The residents of this area know first-hand how much help the men at the Oswego camp can be during a time of need. Senator Dwayne Umbarger was instrumental in getting help from the men at the camp to clean-up after our severe wind storm in July 2005. The young men we encountered were ultra-polite, hard-working despite the hot, humid weather and unpleasant task, and they were a huge help to us in the clean-up effort. We suspect our experience is but one of many positive stories that could be told in this region about the correctional camps in Oswego.

We had the rather uncomfortable experience of visiting the corrections facility in El Dorado last year about this time, as a visitor you understand. We know nothing about criminal justice, or rehabilitation models. However, we left the El Dorado facility with the deep rooted feeling that there must be a better way for at least some of the prisoners than to be locked away with nothing to do than stare at the walls. Surely some of them could do more good at less cost to the taxpayer by housing them in facilities like the ones at Oswego. Yes, we realize the El Dorado facility is for the worst offenders, but when you experience their prison life first-hand it still left us with the impression that society might be better served with another approach to punishment and rehabilitation.

No one wants to lose a vital facility in their own back yard and we are no different. However, we'd like to hope that the Oswego boot camp model could be expanded, not eliminated, and in the process do more for less, both in the short-term and in the long-term for society.