HOLLY POND — A new prison re-entry facility in Holly Pond is hoping to “break the chains” of drug and alcohol addiction by reintroducing non-violent offenders into the community through a 12-month rehabilitation program.

Doug Canter of Chain Breakers Ministries told the Holly Pond Town Council on Monday, Jan. 8, how he had once benefited from a similar re-entry program which allowed him to turn his life around.

After the purchase of the former Bread of Life Church building on Brooklyn Road, Canter is now hoping his ministry can do the same for convicted individuals in Cullman County. Canter said he and his team are hoping to begin housing about 20 individuals sometime in March, but will quickly expand the facility into a 36-bed transitional facility for non-violent, first-time offenders.

“We can assure you our program will be safe for the community. We will not allow sex offenders, nor will we allow violent or repeat offenders into our program,” Canter said.

During their 12-month stay at the facility, participants will be available to assist residents in the Holly Pond community while receiving educational classes, counseling and “spiritual guidance.”

“If somebody has some kind of an issue, such as they don’t have anybody who can come out and cut up a tree that’s fallen in their yard, our men, under our supervision, can come out to cut up that tree and not charge anything. Our guys will be able to help the community as they are allowed,” Canter said.

Canter said participants will not be allowed to leave the property and doing so would be a violation of the individual’s probation and carry an escape charge. He told the council that he has also been speaking with Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry about the possibilities of having deputies patrol the area more frequently at night in hopes of easing the minds of those in the surrounding area.

Councilmember Julie Ray said she felt as though the facility’s location was too close to residential neighborhoods for her liking, but expressed her overall support for the program and its intended mission.

“I think it’s great what you guys are doing. I think everyone needs a second chance. Personally, I’ve seen these facilities in different locations and I think it’s too close to residential areas, in my opinion, but since y’all have already bought the land, there’s nothing I can do. I just hope everyone stays safe and does what they’re supposed to do,” Ray said.

In other business the council:

• Received an update from Mayor Carla Hart that three box drains had been repaired with three more drains still requiring attention.

• Tabled a discussion on the installation of a “mini food pantry” until its February meeting.

• Reviewed the annual Rebuild Alabama report.

• Approved LED Capital to install new LED lighting at the town’s t-ball field for an estimated $29,000.

• Approved $2,662 in repairs and updates to the back room of the Senior Center.