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 Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center inmates clean up trash Wednesday afternoon along the railroad tracks next to the Bourbon County Solid Waste Dump. The inmates are participating in the SEKRCC Volunteer Work Detail program. (Michael Pommier/Tribune photo) [Click to enlarge] |
The volunteers complete various projects around the county. According to SEKRCC Director of Programs Jimmy Nichols, the crews have painted equipment at ball parks in Bronson, Redfield, Fort Scott, and Mapleton. The crews have also been assisting Fort Scott Public Works crews by raking leaves in area parks and cleaning up trash on the sides of area roads.
"We've completed a lot of projects that, in a lot of the smaller communities, wouldn't get done," Nichols said. "Here in Fort Scott, we have probably sped the process up of getting them done because of the extra manpower."
Nichols said the program was created because there was a need for community volunteers and to get the inmates outside the walls of the jail. He added this was a chance for the inmates to contribute something back to the community.
"If (the inmates) are willing to volunteer their time and become an asset to the community ... then there is no reason they should be back here staring at the walls," Nichols said.
The inmates work under armed supervision. In previous years, only "trustee inmates" were allowed to volunteer and work without restraints. Now, Bourbon County Sheriff Ron Gray has allowed the program to expand to include "general population" inmates who volunteer and work while in restraints.
Nichols said he believes that the program has a positive effect on the community. Not only are the inmates cleaning up the community, they are also giving back to the community.
The program has certainly seen positive effects in the jail. According to Nichols, there has been a dramatic decrease in medical costs and the number of altercations within the jail.
"They go out and work all day, all they want to do when they get back is eat and go to bed," Nichols said.
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Good for you Sheriff Gray! We are all very proud of this program as it not only benefits our community but also our inmates. Thank you for your work.