How to process string value after 'el' processing

I have a jsp jstl question. It is actually kind of simple, but I still
couldnt get an answer. And it is more of a design question.

How do you do 'processing' or manipulation of a string value 'after' it
has been processed through 'el' jstl?

"I am having trouble doing basic view manipulation on data output from
the expression language. I dont 'think' I need custom tags for this,
and dont think this logic should occur at the controller or model? But
for example, if I want to modify a value before it is display to the
user but after it has been evaluated: Ie."

This is my current approach.
Would it have been more logical to place:

"<jsp:useBean id="concatValue"
class="org.spirit.servlet.bean.BotListConcatValue" />
<jsp:setProperty name="concatValue" property="maxLen" value="20" />"

Within the 'forEach' bracket?

Logic in the bean:

    public String getWord() {
        if (word != null && (word.length() > (maxLen + 3))) {
            word = word.substring(0, (maxLen - 1)) + "...";
        }
        return word;
    }

<jsp:useBean id="concatValue"
class="org.spirit.servlet.bean.BotListConcatValue" />
<jsp:setProperty name="concatValue" property="maxLen" value="20" />
<c:forEach items="${linklistings}"
   var="listing" varStatus="status">
<c:set target="${concatValue}" property="word"
value="${listing.urlTitle}"/>
<c:out value="${concatValue.word}" />
</c:forEach>