(WesternMass News) — Community Resources for Justice (CRJ) said it is cancelling plans to relocate a re-entry facility for former prisoners to a site just under 1,000 feet from two Westfield schools. The organization had planned to move its program to a location on Southampton Road in Westfield, which prompted protests at the site over the past few weeks.
CRJ released a statement and said it will no longer proceed with plans for that location. The organization said, while state law did not require local approval, it is not moving forward there. They added it will continue to work with the city to find another use for the property. Construction at the Southampton Road site has also slowed while CRJ determines what comes next.
The decision comes several weeks after community members expressed concerns of the facility’s location, which would have been less than 1,000 feet from two Westfield schools.
“I am proud and relieved to share the news that CRJ has withdrawn their intent for a re-entry facility at 182/184 Southampton Road…Thank you to all of the residents who championed the safety of our children and families who would have been directly impacted by the location of this facility, we could not have done this without your diligence,” said Westfield Mayor Michael McCabe.
Westfield City Council President John Beltrandi said he is pleased to see the organization withdrew from that location. “I think that it was a lot of effort and input from the residents and our city government along with our state senator and state [representative] and others that played a part in this decision,” he explained. “While I believe that everybody understands the need for these types of facilities, this location was a very poor choice based on the location of our schools.”
CRJ’s current program in West Springfield, which was slated to move to Westfield, will now be discontinuing services and training. Officials said they are working to find a solution to continue the state-mandated residential re-entry program.
Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi said in a statement that, while he was not directly involved in the proposed facility, his department is “pleased to see that the organization listened to the concerns of residents and recognized that this location was not the right fit for a residential re-entry facility.” He added that protesters made it clear to him a few weeks ago that that they supported the services, but were opposed to the site. “Today’s announcement reflects that feedback,” he explained.
The Office of State Senator John Velis, who represents Westfield, added, “From the start, the concerns raised about this proposal have never been about the value that structured community-based reentry programs play in promoting long-term public safety. They have been focused on the extremely poor choice in location for a reentry facility, only steps away from two local schools, and the absence of early and substantive engagement with our community.”