Coalition protesting against private probation in Americus - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Coalition protesting against private probation in Americus

Updated:

March 19, 2008

Americus -- Protestors are calling for an end to the city of Americus' contract with a private probation company.

John Cole Vodicka says Middle Georgia Probation Services doesn't offer adequate alternatives to those who cannot afford to pay their monthly probation charges.

"A fair and balanced process would also take into account the indigence of a probationer, and that if you aren't able to pay, rather to harass and intimidate and jail you, we should come up with some alternatives, community service alternatives, alternatives other than the fines and fees that are being posed," said John Cole Vodicka with the Prison & Jail Project.

Currently, the city of Americus, which is in the third year of its contract with the probation service, uses the company to handle the payments from misdemeanor probationers in the city.

The Coalition to End For-Profit Probation will gather at 5:15 Thursday afternoon on South Lee Street in Americus where they will march from the Middle Georgia Probation Services Office to the city council meeting at the Public Safety Building. We contacted Middle Georgia Probation Services about the protest, but they did not return our phone calls.

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