NCJ Number
103197
Date Published
1986
Length
15 pages
Annotation
The Washtenaw County, Mich. Community Work Program is a sentencing alternative through which offenders live at home and maintain their employment while completing assigned community service work.
Abstract
The program replaces jail sentences. Most participants are first offenders and misdemeanants. The program costs $100,000 per year and produces more than $1 million in benefits, including savings of jail costs, rental of jail beds to other law enforcement agencies, and services to the community. In December 1985, offenders provided 533 days of community work. Most participants go directly to the program and spend no time in jail. District and circuit court judges place people in the program according to the individual's disposition, character, and prior records. Offenders entering the program from jail receive careful background investigations. The program includes extensive supervision and careful recordkeeping. Both governmental and nonprofit agencies use the offenders' services. Participants' jobs include roadside litter collection, brush cutting, street sweeping, and clerical work.