Tue. Dec 10th, 2024

Inmates help clean up Holmes County parks and roadways

A stretch of Highway 79 in Bonifay is shown before (at left) and after clean-up efforts by a volunteer roadside crew of inmates from the Holmes County Jail, supervised by Holmes County Sheriff’s deputies. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS]

HANNAH COLLINS | hcollins@kentsmith.biz

On any given day throughout Holmes County, you may see a sign that reads “inmates working.” At the beginning of 2020, the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office instated a clean-up program starting with just one crew and which has now grown to four. 

The program’s goal is to improve areas of the county that may otherwise go untouched or overgrown while county crews handle other matters. Many Holmes County residents have noticed the difference in the neatness of their highways and main streets. 

I am very impressed with the clean-up, and I appreciate the hard work of the inmates and Sheriff Tate,” said Bonifay resident Beth Gates. “I am happy to see people taking an interest in our county. They are working to make our county a more beautiful place not only for the citizens that live here but the tourists that drive through. I say Bonifay is a great place to live,” added Gates.

Not only is the program beneficial to our local community but to our inmates as well. Many have benefited from the program even after release. These work crews serve to give inmates valuable work skills while allowing them to contribute to our community.

Holmes County Sheriff’s Office states that several inmates that were in the program that have now since been released continue to stay in touch and are doing well. The program continues to grow and rehabilitate the Holmes County community. 

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Holmes County Advertiser Local News and Information for Holmes County Florida
Holmes County Advertiser Local News and Information for Holmes County Florida