Putnam Establishes Work Release Committee

A new committee will oversee the Putnam County Sheriff Department’s work release program.

County Commissioner Terry Randolph said the committee will monitor the program and consider any changes that need to be made over time. Randolph said all the members of the committee were recommended by Sheriff Eddie Farris.

“To be on the committee I think it needs to be people who are familiar with the laws and with the judicial system and with law enforcement,” Randolph said. “So who better to put together the committee than the sheriff who’s been elected overwhelmingly by the people?”

Randolph said any new regulations or updates proposed by the committee would still have to be approved by the county commission. Randolph said creating the committee is an important step in getting the work release program off the ground.

“As long as the laws are the way they are and people are going to be incarcerated for these minor misdemeanor crimes, then we’re going to have a jail full of people,” Randolph said. “And to be able to help those people and get them back out on the street, make them, basically that’s what it’s all about anyway is to rehabilitate people and to help them.”

Randolph said the commission also accepted new policies required for the program by the state. Randolph said the policies outlined which inmates are eligible for the program, how those inmates are allowed to work and which kinds of businesses can work with the Sheriff’s Department through the program.

“Even to be considered to be able to do that they’d have to meet the minimum mandatory sentences for which the law prohibits any work release,” Randolph said. “So they’d have to meet that. Then they’d have to demonstrate good conduct for at least thirty days. Being there at least thirty days and be exemplary prisoners. Then be clear of any warrants, any wants or any holes or any pending charges to be eligible.”

Randolph said there are many people in the local jail who serve for short periods as minimum risk inmates. Randolph said allowing these people to continue working and providing for their families would have a positive impact on the community as a whole.