UPDATED 3:20 p.m.

Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Tuesday’s public comment period was the first most people in the city council chamber had heard of plans for City of Faith to open a re-entry facility for people making the transition from federal prison back into society.

“Our programs – they are very strict,” said the organization’s chief operating officer, Allen Winkler. “Everyone has to go through some financial literacy, drug testing. They are held very, very accountable in our programs, and there is a lot of penalty if they don’t abide by those programs, such as going back to prison for several years.”

“We live in very interesting times, and I don’t believe any of us would like to have a concentration camp in our ward.” said Ald. Jennifer Notariano. “Not saying that’s what you are going to do,” she added.

Ald. Larry Rockford, describing himself as a proud northender for 63 years, said, “I’m not for it,” particularly without a public meeting to air it all out.

Wednesday, on the WTAX Morning Newswatch, Notariano said she’d like more details about who owns the property and the development itself, but she’s not opposed to the idea of rehabilitation.

“We, in the prison system, don’t do enough to give people the tools to succeed once they’ve served their time and paid their debt to society,” said Notariano. “A program like this can really help keep people from reoffending, by slowly introducing them back to life outside of being locked up.”

Winkler said City of Faith is just one of many likely bidders to the U.S. Department of Justice for the facility.