Sedona AZ (July 6, 2014) – The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office routinely employs inmates housed at the Camp Verde Detention for duties in and outside the Detention Center. Not only do the inmates benefit from positive use of their time, but there is a side benefit of cost savings to county taxpayers.

Over the last several weeks, Camp Verde Detention personnel have continued to seek out and arrange work projects for both men and woman inmates. Following the completion of these tasks, many of the inmates have thanked the YCSO security team for the opportunity. Achieving a goal through the process of completing these projects also has the benefit of fostering better attitudes and behavior for the inmates involved.

Inmates allowed to participate in these various assignments are screened
and considered minimum risk. Their compensation includes credit against
the daily meal expense and a small weekly allowance.

Recent projects include:

1. Major storm drain clean-up for the City of Prescott.
2. Landscaping and weed abatement around the Jeep Posse headquarters property on Commerce Drive in Prescott.
3. Clean-up of trash and weeds involving the roundabout near the Granite Dells in Prescott.
4. Cliff Rose Trailhead in the Verde Valley – cut a new trail between the parking lot and the trailhead.
5. Black Canyon City – Weed and clean-up detail at the park on Palm Lane.
6. Chino Valley Law Enforcement Shooting Range – Inmate workers spent 9 days, with no less than six inmates utilized each day, building the range backstop, and spreading gravel. This saved the town thousands of dollars in labor costs and allowed the range to open earlier than expected.
7. Yavapai College – Inmate workers assisted students and staff by digging hundreds of holes over two days to plant grapes on nearly three acres. This work supported the Yavapai College Foundation, a non-profit organization, and the campus’ teaching winery. The inmate labor provided an opportunity to get crops started early in the season, otherwise not possible due to a lack of available resources.
8. ADOT Adopt-a-Highway Program – The Detention Center is assigned a 1 mile stretch along Arizona State Route 260 between Cottonwood and Camp Verde. Inmate workers conduct clean-up efforts at least four times a year.
9. The YCSO driving track and training facility in Prescott Valley — Inmate workers recently spent four days cutting weeds and cleaned the track and adjacent areas.

For the best Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!