NCJ Number
149734
Journal
Federal Prisons Journal Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: (Winter 1994) Pages: 15-18
Date Published
1994
Length
4 pages
Annotation
In July 1989, the Federal Correctional Institution, McKean County and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Forest Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding to begin a new type of work program involving Federal inmates.
Abstract
The program began with two 8-man crews that left McKean's minimum security facility each day to work in nearby forests; the program currently has three work crews, with a total of 21 inmates. Crews are paid a modest wage for their responsibilities, which include forest maintenance, trail construction, and wildlife projects. The prison selects inmates on the basis of their custody level, mental and physical condition, and prior record of institutional work performance. Inmates eligible for this program cannot have committed serious violent or sexual offenses, or have attempted escape. McKean provides the inmates with lunches and uniforms, while Forest Service personnel actually supervise their work. A National Interagency Agreement signed between the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Forest Service will lead to a significant expansion of this program.