Massachusetts Department of Correction inmate work crews clean up green at Boston Marathon.

Milford (April 2009)--Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) inmate work crews have been setting up and cleaning up in Hopkinton and Boston during the Boston Marathon since 2000. Again this year, they will recycle all cardboard and plastic bottles. The trash picked up will be processed at a DOC facility and kept out of local landfills. On Marathon Monday, 10 crews will be picking up trash and recycling in Hopkinton andBoston.

The recycling initiative was introduced last year for DOC community work crews, who have been in operation for over 16 years. The Boston Marathon was the first project in this initiative. Boston’s 4^th of July Esplanade extravaganza, Walk for Hunger, AIDS Walk, JP Morgan Corporate Challenge, Head of the Charles Regatta and the Pan Mass Challenge followed.

DOC work crews are minimum security inmates nearing release or parole eligibility. They are supervised on site by DOC Correction Officers and staff. The work experience allows inmates an opportunity to return something positive to the community during their incarceration as well as learn responsibility. Additionally, at a time when cities and towns are struggling with resources, these crews have played an important role in performing work that might otherwise not be done.

In 2008, there were 341 community work crews providing over 1.1 million work hours saving the Commonwealth over $8 million. The DOC has provided inmate work crews to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Emerald Necklace Conservatory, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency to assist in cleanup projects following several major storms, as well as cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth.

Inmates engaged in work release and programming improve their ability for successful reentry when they return to their communities upon release. Reentry is sound public policy which promotes public safety.