The Working Inmate

Verde Valley AZ (June 24, 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 6 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 2 days to plant grapes on nearly 3 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 State Route 260 between Cottonwood and Camp Verde. Inmate workers conduct clean-up efforts at least 4 times a year.
9. The YCSO driving track and training facility in Prescott Valley. Inmate workers recently spent 4 days cutting weeds and cleaned the track and adjacent areas.