NCJ Number
140092
Date Published
1992
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Sheriff Gary W. Waters created the Alternative Work Program (AWP) in Portsmouth, Virginia in 1987 to allow non-violent inmates to help the city clean the roads and highways and cut grass on city property.
Abstract
The Alternative Work Program, which typically includes eight inmates, has saved the city substantial tax dollars. Tasks include maintaining on/off ramps, clearing trash, washing, feeding, and cleaning the horses in the Portsmouth Police Department Horse Patrol, cut grass, and wash jail windows and sweep the patio surrounding the jail. The inmates receive time off their sentences in return for their work. They earn one-third off their sentence plus five days for every 30 days they work in the program. Program participants are housed in a separate area from the main jail facility. The only program limitation for the inmates is that they cannot see visitors.