Guard accompanied inmates from the Southeast Kansas Correctional Center removes trash from the side of the road south of town on Highway 69 on Wednesday. The inmates volunteer their time picking up trash and completing other strenuous tasks that work for the betterment of communities throughout Bourbon County. Rayma Silvers/Tribune Photo

With the help of inmates at the Southeast Kansas Correctional Center, Bourbon County has been able to accomplish tasks that might not normally get done.

According to SEKRCC Director of Programs Jimmy Nichols, when the inmate work program at the jail was first created in the spring of 2006, he had only three inmates who participated in the volunteer program. Currently, interest in the program has grown increasing the number of volunteers to about 12.

The inmate work program has had positive effects on not only the inmates, but also the community, Nichols said. Adding that the inmates have completed many laborious tasks for different communities throughout Bourbon County. He said the men have painted ball park bleachers and playground equipment in both Bronson and Redfield. In addition, they helped pour the floor in the new firehouse in Uniontown; cleaned up brush around the Catholic church in Fulton; and picked up trash on Highways 69, 54 and various county roads as well as city roads. The inmates also spent time painting shelter houses in Gunn Park.

Bourbon County Commissioner Bill Brittain said the program has held such high success that there will soon be two crews of inmates working throughout the county. One crew, he said will complete work out in the county while the other crew will remain in Fort Scott. Brittain said the city is so pleased with the work that the inmates have been doing that it has agreed to help furnish a vehicle for the crew of volunteers who are working within the city. In addition to providing a vehicle, the city will also reimburse the county the cost of the extra officer that will be required to supervise two crews.

According to Bourbon County Sheriff Harold Coleman, the program has had many positive effects on the inmates themselves. One example of this, he said is a decrease in discipline issues among the inmates in the program. Coleman added that the program has helped the inmates learn respect for others.

Attesting to this, work crew volunteer Josh Aslinger said he is glad that he and the other inmates have been given this opportunity to give something to the community.

"We've been taking for so long; it's time we give something back," Aslinger said. "We are all thankful that Jimmy (Nichols) came up with the program."

Jeremy Lotterer, who is also an inmate participating in the program, said being on the work crew has helped him learn to respect the officers that supervise the program. He said although Nichols and the other officers can not really do much for them while they are in jail, they treat the inmates like human beings instead of inmates, an action that has caused respect for the officers to grow. He added that the inmate work program is helping him learn how to be a better member of the community.

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"When I go out, I feel like I am at work. That builds better work ethics. It will help me be a productive member of society," Lotterer said.

Inmate Jesse Smith, who also volunteers his days to work in the program said being on the work crew helps him make it through the day a little bit easier. Nichols added that without the inmate work program, the inmates would have nothing to do during the day but to sit in a pod crowded with other inmates. Those inmates can read books or play cards, but other than being allowed one hour of television per night, the inmates have no other source of entertainment. Being allowed to work outside makes the men feel better about themselves, Smith, Lotterer and Aslinger said.

According to Aslinger, it would be a good idea for other jails to develop similar programs. Adding that working in the program makes him miss living outside the jail.

"Being locked up doesn't make you miss the outside, but being out there everyday does," Aslinger said.

According to Nichols, the inmates were also asked to help hang flags down East National for Memorial Day. He said the Veterans were so pleased with the respect and patriotism that the men showed that they asked the inmates to return on Flag day to hang the flags again.

According to Coleman, several community members who have witnessed the work that the inmates have been doing have made many positive comments. The inmates have been asked to help in almost every community in Bourbon County, Coleman said. Adding that the work the inmates do does not cost the tax payers any additional money. He said sometimes the towns in Bourbon County who ask for the inmates to complete tasks for their town even provide the gas for the vehicle that transports the inmates to the job site.

Nichols said the inmate volunteers also participate in a positive program at the local Teen Court. He said some of the men address teenagers at the court, telling them about the negative impact that drugs and alcohol has had on their lives.