2 jail programs aim to curb overcrowding

MACHIAS – The Washington County Jail has two programs at its disposal to reduce overcrowding – the state’s so called “good time” provisions and a work-release program.

Washington County’s Community Corrections program is a work-release opportunity for prisoners serving time for nonviolent crimes, who are approved by Sheriff Joseph Tibbetts.

The prisoners participate in supervised public works projects and for every two days they work in the community, one day is subtracted from their sentence.

“Right now, we have two crews out,” Jail Administrator Robert Gross said during an interview last week. “That has actually helped keep our population down.”

Under Maine’s good-time provisions, prisoners’ sentences can be reduced by up to five days a month if their “conduct, participation in programs and fulfillment of responsibilities” warrant a reduction in the judgment of the chief administrative officer of a state facility or the sheriff of the county jail.