More evidence WEC, McCook are a good fit

When McCook was in the running for a state correctional facility, local boosters had jobs on their minds.

They couldn't have imagined a million dollars worth of side benefits to the community.

That has been the result of McCook landing the Work Ethic Camp, and the side benefits probably wouldn't have resulted had we landed our first choice, a full-fledged prison.

WEC Superintendent Raleigh Haas said offenders have provided nearly $1 million in savings since the facility opened in 2001, putting in 190,531 hours in service to non-profit and governmental agencies in the region.

That's a conservative estimate, using the minimum wage of $5.15; had they been actual paid employees, the rate probably would have been significantly higher.

In July alone, the offenders put in 2,393 hours with 29 organizations.

We've become accustomed to seeing the offenders, wearing khaki and white, often with orange vests, out in the parks, along the roads and elsewhere, doing work that otherwise might not get done, but which never the less improves the quality of life in Southwest Nebraska.

"People would ask me, aren't you afraid of running out of work to do out there?" Haas told a meeting of the WEC Community Involvement Committee recently. "That obviously hasn't been a problem."

We're grateful that the work is being done, but more important is what it does for the offenders themselves. They're not allowed much direct contact with "civilians," but friendly honks, waves and smiles let them know they're appreciated.

And with a system like the Rewards program, where trustworthy offenders are allowed trips to the YMCA, they get a glimpse of the lifestyle that is available if they complete the WEC program successfully and take the lessons to heart.

We're grateful McCook has a chance to play a part in this groundbreaking effort to turn lives around.