Prison board considers inmate work program
Certain Fayette County Prison inmates may have the opportunity to perform community service should officials be able to implement a work program.
In unanimous action of those present on Wednesday, the prison board directed Warden Brian Miller to assess whether a program that would allow up to five inmates to clean the courthouse, cut grass or do general maintenance work at county parks, is feasible.
The issue was broached by Wharton Township resident Rick Carlins, who indicated that tourists to the mountain-area attractions are being greeted by an abundance of roadside garbage rather than a litter-free route.
“I personally think it would be good for Fayette County,” said Carlins, pointing to a mid-west newspaper article that outlined the number of projects completed by those incarcerated in state correctional facilities. “I live on Wharton Furnace Road and it looks like a place where you just drive to and dump your garbage.
“I think it would be an incentive for good behavior if (the inmate) thought it would allow them to get outside.”
Sheriff Gary Brownfield, board chairman, said that a work program did exist in a prior administration, but personnel would require training before it could be re-implemented.
“Tourism is our biggest attraction and it is not very attractive when you see garbage along the road,” he said.
Brownfield said that there are inmates in the lockup for minimal crimes that could be eligible for the program.
“These guys would love to get out of prison just to pass the time,” he said. “It would help pay their fines.”
Commissioner Vince Zapotosky said a successful work program would likely reduce recidivism, rehabilitate the inmate, and provide a sense of pride for “a job well done.”
“A lot of folks (in the prison) have a feeling of despair,” he said. “It is our job as a society to avert (recidivism) as best we can.”
Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink, who has also long advocated a work release program, said the state Department of Corrections (DOC) inspection report mandates that the lockup implement both programs.
“(The DOC reports) says it has to be done,” she said, recalling the prior administration work program. “It is not re-inventing the wheel.”
The former work program was overseen by a public works employee who had received DOC training, said Zimmerlink.
“Have one or two (public works employees) get the training, then allow that individual to take up to three (inmates) to our county parks to help out,” she said. “It can be done.”
Commissioner Al Ambrosini requested Miller provide an implementation plan that would include the cost associated with the work program, the projects that could be undertaken by the inmates and the number of eligible inmates before it is enacted.
In addition to Brownfield, Zapotosky, Zimmerlink, Ambrosini, acting Controller Jeanine Wrona supported the action. District Attorney Jack R. Heneks Jr., also a member of the prison board, was absent from the meeting.
In other action Miller reported that 185 males and 29 females are incarcerated in the county prison with 21 males and one female housed at the Greene County Prison and one male lodged in the Bedford County Prison.
Miller said that the staff is working to return out-of-county inmates to the prison as space permits.