People serving time in county jail volunteer for Belmont public works projects

BELMONT — A handful of people serving time in county jail after sentencing are helping maintain and beautify the town, in coordination with the public works department.

The volunteer projects, which range from annual maintenance to brush trimming to plow preparations, are completed by incarcerated people, at no cost to the town, in a mutual partnership with the Belknap County Department of Corrections.

“Even when leaf season comes along, we can send them with the crew, and have them have leafblowers on,” said Public Works Director Brian Jackes, during the selectboard meeting Aug. 19. “I can use them for demolition; for whatever we have.”

He collaborated with the Belknap County Department of Corrections on the community service partnership, obtaining the necessary background checks for town employees who supervise the workers. Each work day, supervisors from Belmont public works pick up the crew, bring them to their daily job sites, and return them after a successful day’s work.

Lunch is provided by the jail.

“We currently have sentenced inmates participating in community service projects throughout the county. Examples include working with the Belmont DPW, assisting with county maintenance projects around the county complex, the Wetlands Walk at Gunstock, and working with the Belknap County Conservation Department,” Michelle Wetherbee, superintendent of the Belknap County Department of Corrections, wrote in an email. “Only sentenced inmates are eligible to participate in these community service projects.”

The idea was to fill gaps in staffing at the public works department while completing necessary — and wish list — projects around town. Additionally, the extra laborers mean town employees can focus on other projects, moving the needle forward.

“Well, I know we never had an issue in the past, that's for sure, and we've used them before, so I think that's great,” board chair Ruth Mooney said in August.

"They are not receiving wages; for the inmates, it’s the fact that they can be out in the community, contributing. They are not forced to participate in any community service projects; it is a privilege they look forward to," Wetherbee wrote.

For the people serving sentences, participating in community service projects around the county is often beneficial in more ways than one. Having a work routine helps acclimate people to a working lifestyle post-jail time.

“These opportunities have been very positive for the inmates,” Wetherbee wrote. “They appreciate having the opportunity to give back to their communities and often gain a strong sense of accomplishment from contributing in a meaningful way.”

Prior to COVID-19, the town used the correctional facility’s program to complete projects like sandblasting and painting. In August, Town Administrator Alicia Jipson, along with Jackes, reminded the board and public about the mutual benefit of the program.

They “can be extra hands and help reduce overtime and labor costs, because we can put our guys in other places,” Jipson said.

Wetherbee understands the department can only contribute so much, based on population, and she’s grateful for any opportunities available.

“Because the majority of our population consists of pretrial inmates who have not yet been sentenced, we are limited in the number of community service projects we can commit to at any given time,” she wrote. “However, when we have sentenced inmates who are eligible and appropriate for community service, we value the opportunity to partner with local departments and organizations.”

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Katlyn Proctor can be reached at katlyn@laconiadailysun.com or by calling 603-524-0150.