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MINUTTS <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />FEBRUARY 9, 200.5 <br />I{eis asked whether this program will replace any of the City's part-time <br />summer positions. The Administrator reported that two part-time summer <br />Public Works positions were added as part of the 2005 Budget. The <br />program would replace these two newly added positions, but would not <br />impact the part-Time summer positions in Parks and Public Works that <br />have existed for the past nwnber of years. <br />Mark Siemers, Corrections Program Director, reported that the ICWC <br />Program is an offshoot of the Sentenced to Service Program that began 20 <br />years ago. The ICWC program has been inexistence for '10 years and <br />operates 10 crews out of the State's minimum security prisons. Siemers <br />indicated that the program is very careful in selecting work crew members. <br />'Che program provides a means for inmates to give something back to the <br />community at a low cost. The program also teaches inmates a work ethic <br />and responsibility. There are typically between 6 and ] 0 crew members <br />plus one full-time crew leader. Siemers indicated that only minimum <br />security inmates are utilized who have committed a broad range of <br />offenses. At no time are sex offenders ever allowed to participate in the <br />program. <br />LaValle asked about Che crew leader. Siemers reported that the crew <br />leader is an employee of the State that typically has come up through the <br />officer's rank The crew leader stays with the same crew of inmates so <br />that the leader knows the inmates and their skill levels. 'Che crew is <br />typically sent to Che same work sites- <br />Blesener asked if an inmate has ever walked away from the work site, and <br />if that happens, whose responsibility is it. Siemers reported that only one <br />person has ever walked away, and that person was apprehended very <br />quicldy. If an inmate walked away, a year and a day are added to his <br />sentence. Siemers pointed out that these are minimum security inmates <br />who could walk away from the correction facility at any time. Siemers <br />repotted that there is no liability to the City for any past of this program. <br />Allan asked the recidivism rate. Siemers repotted that they have just <br />recently begun tracking this, but estimated the rate at 25%. Siemers felt <br />this rate to be very good. <br />Blesener asked how long an inmate would have to be in prison before <br />being allowed inter the program. Siemers replied that the longer the <br />sentence, the longer before the inmate had the opportunity to get into the <br />program. Siemers felt the minimum would be 30 days. He indicated that <br />the inmate is watched and evaluated by prison personnel before deciding <br />whether or not he would be a good match for the program. <br />3 <br />