Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
Program gives inmates a chance to work
Approximately 200 people convicted of committing crimes in Fauquier County are currently serving time in the Fauquier County Adult Detention Center and Northwest Regional Jail in Winchester. Only 17 participate in the work release program.
"It is a big privilege to be on work release," said Fauquier County Deputy John Jenkins, who has overseen the program since coming here from Culpeper last year.
As its name indicates, the program allows inmates to work regular jobs while serving time in jail.
Offenders on work release are allowed to work Mondays through Saturdays. While working, they are allowed to be away from the jail for up to 12 hours.
In order to do be in the program, inmates must meet strict criteria.
"Only inmates who have committed non-violent offenses or offenses that are not sexual in nature are considered for the program," Jenkins said.
Offenders sentenced to time in the local jail and those sentenced to the Department of Corrections are eligible to participate. However, those offenders sentenced to prison must meet the same criteria as those sentenced to the local jail. Specifically, they cannot be convicted of sexual offenses or violent crimes. Their sentence cannot exceed two years.
"We try to fill all of the slots with local inmates sentenced to one year or less," Jenkins said.
See the Fauquier Times-Democrat for the complete story...
You must be logged in to post a comment.