Washington County Jail Begins New Programs To Help Inmates

The Washington County Sheriff's Office has started new programs at the jail to help inmates. 

The sheriff says it's all geared toward setting the inmates up for success, so they don't come back.

"Over my career, I've seen the same people in and out, in and out, and I can't help but wonder if years back if we had this going on, could we have changed some lives," Sheriff Scott Owen said.

The first step in changing the inmates' lives is the chance for an education. 

The visitation center is also used now as a learning lab, where inmates can come study and work toward getting their GED.

Sheriff Scott Owen says the jail is partnered with Family and Children's Services for the program, and inmates can graduate and go on to get a job. 

"We've had one graduate, and then I think we have 7 or 8 enrolled in the next class so we're hoping for seven, eight more graduates soon," he said.

Over in the jail's kitchen, the inmates are working to prepare lunch.

"Our trustees in there learn to prepare food, do dishwashing, all the kitchen tasks that's related to private sector restaurant work," Sheriff Owen said.

This is part of a trustee program where the inmates work with a group called Benchmark to prepare the meals. 

Once the inmates leave the jail, they'll have a food certification and can get jobs in restaurants. 

Jail administrator James Pendergraft says he's seen a change in both behavior and confidence. 

"Sometimes they are acting like they have nothing, and this is what they've got, and when they see that someone actually cares and has faith in their abilities, that's when they turn around and stop coming back," he said.

Pendergraft says he hopes the inmates view these programs as a way for them to grow and be successful when they get out of jail so he doesn't have to see them again.

"I want them to put us out of work, so if we can get them to stop coming to jail and break the cycle, then we are doing our jobs the right way," Pendergraft said.