Blight committee takes up issue of inmate labor

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The city's war on blight might be losing one of its major weapons: Inmate labor to clean up trash and trouble spots in the city.

Members of the city's blight committee -- and even a chief with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office -- were surprised to hear Thursday that the Corrections Department of the city has limited the use of inmate labor.

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According to public works, since November places inmate work crews can go have been limited. The director said he was told there was concern about inmates finding contraband weapons or drugs while working near housing projects, so that was stopped.

There was also concern about gang activity. But JSO said it is working on a solution because some JSO officers have continued working with inmates

"I think there's measures put in place by corrections and the police side that limit that exposure. The inmates are never left unsupervised. They're always under the supervision of a corrections officer or the police officer that has that specific training," Chief Pat Ivey said. "So I think it's something that can be worked through and the areas continue to be cleaned."

The committee on blight is trying to get answers and will take this up again at its next meeting. Inmates are used to clean up ditches and other areas the city can not reach by machines.  


About the Author:

Jim Piggott is the reporter to count on when it comes to city government and how it will affect the community.