Inmate transitional homes could be coming to Harpersville

SHELBY COUNTY, AL (WBRC) - People in Harpersville are worried about what will happen with the old flea market property. Some fear the land will be used for a transitional homes for prison inmates out of the Bibb County Correctional facility.

The old flea market, which is off of Highway 25, is halfway between Harpersville and Wilsonville. The talk that inmates who finish their sentence would be released here has been the talk of Harpersville all week.

“There is a lot of people that are afraid of having something like that come in,” Pastor Richard Fair said.

There was supposed to have been a meeting with the group behind the home and the community, but it was canceled and set for a later time.

Lyquisha Thomas lives almost next door to the proposed site.

“I just stay down the road and I got two kids. I think I will be a nervous wreck if it [does] happen,” Thomas said.

Some of the talk going around Harpersville points fingers at Church of the Highlands, saying they were behind the program. We have been told that is not the case.

Many people in the area say they are afraid of what type of former inmate may be staying at the homes.

“In order to have halfway homes of this sort, we just don’t want it in our neighborhood,” Fair said.

Others plan to speak out against the plan if there is a meeting.

“There is going to be some who will do something crazy. I know that for a fact. I hope they know what they are doing. I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Thomas continued.

Mayor Greene said he wanted to get more information out of the people behind the project. Greene has assured residents there will be a meeting so they can ask questions if the project goes forward. That date will be put on the city’s website and Facebook page.