Sheriff recommends end to inmate work program
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (AP) – Jackson County Sheriff Mike Ezell is recommending that the county end its inmate work program rather than pick up the cost of running it from the state Department of Corrections.
Ezell told the Board of Supervisors they would have to hire 10 people to run it and the cost could exceed $1 million, with salaries, building maintenance and other operating costs.
The Sun Herald reports the state-funded program has 40 inmates right now, housed at the work center in Pascagoula, and farms out free labor to the cities and county.
Jackson County has 18 inmates assigned to buildings, the golf course and other areas.
County supervisors said Monday the loss of the free labor could cost the county as much as $1.5 million.
