MANSFIELD — In 2017, a total of 29 Richland County Jail inmates worked for various periods of time under the leadership of Community Control Work Program Coordinator Keith Witzky.
The team logged 3,984 hours of community service, saving the county and townships approximately $60,000 in labor costs.
“The Community Control Work Program is a program designed to help the community as well as those who are incarcerated in the Richland County Jail,” Richland County sheriff Steve Sheldon said in a press release. “This program benefits Richland County and its townships and affords non-violent offenders the opportunity to get out of their jail cells and do meaningful work.”
Their work also serves to allow county and township workers to spend those hours on other projects.
Chuck Minich, County Maintenance Supervisor, appreciates the extra manpower as the team assists with maintenance and special projects at county facilities, Sheldon said. During 2017, it became necessary to replace flooring in the County Engineer’s administrative offices. The work crew took care of all the furniture and equipment movement involved, saving the county maintenance crew countless hours.
“During the winter, these men help with snow removal and salting sidewalks,” Sheldon said. “They get out early in the spring and pick up litter along county and township roads. A significant number of hours are spent helping maintain the Richland County Fairgrounds and Dayspring – the county home.
“There is always yard work, cleaning, and painting to be done. Out in the townships, the crew helps with road work and cemetery maintenance, doing dry patch, guardrail maintenance and weed control. Currently, the crew assists seven of the 18 townships in the county; and they would welcome the opportunity to help the others as well.”
