A special area for reflection and prayer is now outside the visitation area at the Madison County Criminal Justice Complex thanks to one of the teams from the 2023 Leadership Jackson class.
The class, led by the Greater Jackson Chamber accepts a group of 30 area professionals each year to learn more about the community and about how each can contribute. The group is broken up into three teams to originate and execute helpful projects. The team known as The Tigers chose the Sheriff’s Department after touring the new jail.
Now there is a mailbox that will allow the public to leave a message of gratitude or support for officers.Beside the mailbox is a bench that will serve as a quiet place to pause and reflect for officers. It can also be used by those who visit inmates at the jail.
“We wanted to create a space for officers so that when they need some reflection time or some prayer time they can come to this spot right here on their campus and just take a deep breath”, said team member Jonathon Parker.
Sheriff Julian Wiser says the average life expectancy of a law enforcement officer is 58 years old
because of the trauma and stress officers deal with daily. Wiser says he is grateful that the group has recognized the importance of caring for officers and promoting support from the community as well.
Congressman David Kustoff acknowledged the difficulty in recruiting first responders that is happening all across the country, “I hope with this project, with all the evil in the world, I hope that officers can come here and find peace and solace.”
Kustoff was among several elected officials, Leadership Jackson graduates, and Greater Jackson
Chamber Ambassadors who attended the ribbon cutting.
As for other Leadership Jackson projects, one group set up a Career Closet on the campus of Lane College so that both female and male students will have appropriate clothing to wear when they are ready to graduate and begin interviewing for jobs. The other group in the 2023 class partnered with Women of Hope to organize and improve the food and equipment storage area for the restaurant the organization operates along with a thrift store.
