Rehabilitation program puts non-violent criminals to work for community

The walls within the Santa CruzCounty jail facilities are borders that divide convicted inmates – boarders – from the community at large. Some of these ‘boarders’ have been convicted of violent crimes, whereas others are incarcerated for non-violent offenses. Rehabilitating inmates serving time at our county jails is an objective to which the SCC Sheriff’s Department is committed.
Rehabilitation provides people who have been convicted of a crime a chance to give back to the community by becoming responsible citizens. A successful rehabilitation of a prisoner is also helped if convicted persons are able to maintain ties to the outside world, and learn new skills to assist them with working life on the outside.
Accomplishing successful rehabilitation is why the Sheriff’s Office is sending qualified non-violent inmates to work on Emergency Response crews with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Working with the CDCR’s Emergency Response crews and Cal Fire is a step learning new skills and providing useful service.
The CountyBoarder’s Program is a great opportunity for both men and women who earn the right to participate by their non-violent behavior. Three inmates were selected amongst many applicants and are local residents serving time for narcotic and theft related offenses.
Sergeant Roy A. Morales, SCCSD, reported, “All three will be placed on supervised work crews to perform public services including flood preparation and response, fire-fighting, and other public work projects. “ He said, “The SCCSD is excited for the program that will provide local, low level sentenced prisoners, an opportunity to pay back their communities while obtaining work skills in an effort to reduce recidivism.”
For more information please contact Lieutenant Paul Ramos at 831-454- 7870.
For more information on the program: www.cdcr.ca.gov/conservation_camps).