Abbi Cobb, Tiffin

Johnson County deserves real collaboration and input leveraging the expertise of local reentry professionals, anti-poverty experts, and the perspectives of people impacted by incarceration in plans to address current jail conditions.

Without this collaboration, not only does the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office alienate our local experts, we risk harming our neighbors by perpetuating traumatic and outdated practices that ultimately result in recidivism and we risk continued incarcerating people for crimes related to poverty, disability, substance use disorder, and other mental health crises – conditions only worsened by jail stays. 

My work in social support services and the partner of someone in law enforcement has led me to understand that meaningful partnerships and internal policy changes are how public servants demonstrate dedication to solutions, prevention, and care for the community. Anything less demonstrates a vanity project.