Letter to the Editor

Renovated jail “may put Hampton on the national map”
 
Letter to the editor:
 
     Who in his right mind would want to go to jail?
     Well, not many people, but I’ve learned that a lot of people want to find out what it would be like to spend some time locked up without committing a crime.
     When counties or cities open new jails or prisons, they often invite people to spend a night locked up in order to give them a look at the new jail, what it is like to be locked up, and to give the jail staff time to see if everything works.
     A few years ago in Missoula County, Mont., a new jail invited folks to spend a night locked up. Within a few hours, the jail was booked. Men and women showed up in droves. I understand the same happened in Black Hawk County, Iowa, as well as elsewhere in the country.
     So, I was surprised at the controversy that arose when Mark Gudmundsen bought the old Franklin County Sheriff’s Residence and Jail to open it to those who wanted to experience jail, without committing a crime. Mark saw the old house and he thought “what a great opportunity to renovate an old house and help the city and county.”
     But not everyone at Hampton City Hall was excited, it seems, and started to throw roadblocks. It appears those blocks have now been eliminated and a great addition to Hampton will soon be finished. Stop by and thank Mark for helping the city, and let him allow folks to experience what jail was like in Franklin County for 108 years. It may put Hampton on the national map.
 
Ted Storck
Morris, Minn.