MANSFIELD — The Richland County Inmate Community Work program enjoyed a highly productive year in 2015, according to Sheriff Steve Sheldon.
The work crew worked a total of 4,554 hours in the community in 2015, nearly 500 more hours than in 2014. At a value of $15 per hour, this translates into $68,310 in savings for the county and townships.
Richland County Sheriff’s Community Officer Keith Witzky supervises the inmate work crew.
“Officer Witzky has been with the program for 16 years and has done a wonderful job for the Sheriff’s Office overseeing the inmate crews,” Sheldon said.
Work performed for the townships in the county includes road clean-up, trash pick-up, and weed whacking along guard rails and bridges, township cemeteries, and township buildings as well as cleaning buildings and vehicles. In coordination with Chuck Minich, County Maintenance Superintendent, the crew helps with maintenance and special projects at all county facilities including Dayspring, Peoples Community Center, and the Juvenile Justice Center.
“The Richland County Fairgrounds often relies on this crew for help with maintenance and special projects and for help with set-up and clean-up for special events,” Sheldon said. “Chuck is an integral part of this program.”
During the winter, the work crew assists with snow removal and spreading salt at County facilities. For the second year, the inmate crew assisted the Humane Society with its auction, moving items to the fairgrounds for the sale.
“Officer Witzky says that he continues to enjoy his service in his capacity as the Inmate Community Work Program Officer,” Sheldon said.
