Inmate Worker Program
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Inmate Worker Program
The McHenry County Correction Correctional Bureau Facility
inmate/detainee worker program contributes to the orderly operation
of the jail. The classification division carefully screens and
recruits eligible inmates/detainees to fill the worker positions.
Classification officers assign these individuals to work in the
kitchen, laundry room and custodial services, where they are
supervised by corrections officers. The worker program is a means
of positive reinforcement for the inmates/detainees while
incarcerated and may help them with job opportunities upon
release.
The Sheriff's Road Crew Program consists of two
correctional officers assigned to supervise up to four inmate
workers who perform work details outside the jail in the community
of McHenry County. The road crew program is strictly voluntary. To
be eligible for this program, an inmate must pass a medical
screening and cannot have a sentence or history of violent
offenses.
The road crew works Monday through Friday from the first week of
May to the second week of October. The 16 townships and various
city and government agencies inside McHenry County often request
the road crew's services, which vary from picking up trash on the
roads and easements and patching pot holes and seal coating to
painting guard rails, clearing trees and brush and washing fleet
vehicles.
In the 2011 season alone, more than 4,479 hours of work were
completed:
- 302 hours were spent painting
- 966 hours were spent removing trees and brush
- 176 hours were spent paving and patching asphalt
- 966 hours were spent doing various other tasks such as cleaning
shop, washing fleet vehicles, landscaping and cleaning up after
community special events.
- 2,069 hours were spent collecting trash, clearing over 370.9
miles of roadway and filling more than 679 bags of garbage.
The litter pick-up not only helps the community look better, but
it also helps save money for the local townships that would
normally have to use extra manpower to complete these tasks. It
also reduces wear and tear on mower equipment that would run over
this debris. The program also gives inmates a chance to give
back to the community by completing constructive tasks.
The goal of IN2WORK, conducted by ARAMARK, is to teach offenders
the fundamentals of working in a food service environment to help
them gain skills and experiences that can be leveraged when they
reenter the workforce. The IN2WORK program includes both a
classroom component and an on-the-job training component and is
comprised of three modules: Kitchen Basics, Retail Basics and
ServSafe®. The benefits of IN2WORK include:
- Inmates are given the opportunity to learn and work in a
structured training program, which boosts self-esteem and provides
a recognizable certificate.
- Certification can help open doors to employment upon
release.
- Successful re-entry contributes to reduced recidivism. Research
shows that this type of program provides offenders the skills to
find meaningful employment as well as the values and discipline
needed to become productive citizens.
- The program leads to a more efficient, better functioning
kitchen.