Inmates Assist With Sandbagging

June 17, 2008
Contact: Elise Schaffer, PIO Phone: (608) 284-6142 Email: schaffer@co.dane.wi.us

Madison, WI. June 17, 2008 – Throughout the past week, Sheriff David Mahoney has enabled inmates from the Dane County Jail to assist area communities affected by flooding. As of today, 79 inmates have worked over 600 volunteer hours sandbagging for local residents. Based on the direction of officials with Dane County Emergency Management, inmates were utilized to work in the areas of Monona, Mazomanie, Maple Bluff, the town of Westport, and the town of Dunn. The inmate volunteer program operates year round under the direction of a full-time volunteer coordinator. Since the volunteer program’s inception in 1998, the Dane County Jail has allowed inmates to volunteer during times of natural disasters and emergencies, providing the community with much needed assistance. For inmates to be considered for the jail’s volunteer program, they must be sentenced with Huber, in addition to meeting the program’s other criteria. Not only does the community benefit from the program, volunteers receive valuable work experience and in some cases are offered permanent employment upon their release from jail. In 2007, inmates volunteered over 26,600 hours to community organizations.