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An inmate crew from the Arizona Department of Corrections Kaibab Unit in Winslow is going to work to beautify McHood Park and Clear Creek in Winslow.
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During the Winslow City Council meeting last week the council approved the extension of a contract with the DOC that will expand that term for five more years, through April 30, 2024.
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Mayor Tom McCauley added, “I have been wanting to put on an inmate crew to be able to get to work out at Clear Creek. We are talking about trash, cleaning the beaches, graffiti, landscaping, just everything that they could possibly put their hands on out there. We really have a gem at McHood Park, it is a beautiful place and if we can get a crew to go out there every day to work, within about a six-month period, it can be just absolutely pristine.
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Winslow City Manager John Barkley said, “We decided to take the initiative to work on a new contract. This is a good step in the right direction. We have been working with Warden (Ed) Jensen to improve the efficiency of the inmate work program in the City of Winslow.”
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According to Barkley, the new contract is basically the same as the previous one with a few added provisions. “We have added some new things to the contract but kept the sentiment of a good working relationship and communication,” he said. For example, “We will have them at Clear Creek this spring and summer and hopefully throughout the year. There are several provisions in this contract related to protocol for guidance and behavior on the part of the city and the inmate crews. The supervision of which is a big deal right now. We are taking a hard look at how we operate with the supervisors that come up from corrections with our own supervision and training as city employees and the logistics between the two places.”
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McCauley explained further, “John (Barkley) and I met with Warden Jensen a couple of months ago. We asked him if we could expand our work crews in Winslow. He said yes, he could do it, as they have the inmates, but they do not have the correctional officers to be able to supervise. My solution was to provide a supervisor and the transportation as the City of Winslow. He said he didn’t have issue with that, but we needed to modify the contract. So, this is what we are doing tonight.
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“We are going to be able to pick up and supervise our inmate crews. What this does is afford us the opportunity to pay one employee and buy one van. The inmates make anywhere from 45 to 50 cents an hour. We are basically going to be getting 13 employees for the price of one. When they are unable to work at the creek because of events or something, we can bring them in to town and they can work at other locations. I think it is very advantageous to bring on another crew to help us get things done.”
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Funding for the new contract is budgeted in fiscal year 2019, according to the written motion, and will be proposed to continue for the duration of the contract. It will be subject to annual appropriation by the city and the ADC. The contract is effective immediately and the process of training a city employee to supervise is underway at this time.
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The motion passed unanimously with council member Bob Schlesinger appearing telephonically.
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