By Theresa-Marie Wilson ~

The City of Arroyo Grande recently reached a new agreement to utilize inmate work crews to complete maintenance type jobs within city limits.

On a consent agenda, the city council approved a five-year contract with the California Men’s Colony (CMC) and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDRC) to utilize inmate work crews for unskilled labor within the city.

The city has used the services of CMC work crews for several years with help on several maintenance items such as graffiti removal, litter removal, weed abatement, streambed maintenance, filling sand bags, etc.

“These crews help with tasks that are important but not urgent and would otherwise be a low priority due to staffing issues or lack of funds,” a staff report states
As per the contract with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDRC), the city must, “ensure inmate work crews are not used in lieu of paid staff or in violation of the public and that there is no commingling of inmate crews with the public or Contractor staff other than the immediate technical direction by contractor (city) to ensure quality control of the work to be performed.”

The city is responsible for providing a safe work environment as well as all necessary equipment.  CDRC staff is responsible should disciplinary action be required.

The cost of doing business with the CMC comes in at about $38,800 for the next two fiscal years, an increase of $8,800 over the last term. The price is minimal, considering work crews can work up to 9 hours a day of four days, week, Monday through Thursday.

Inmates will make between $2.25 and $3 per day while the correctional officer will cost the city $500 per full day or $250 for less than three hours.