Sentencing plan could save money, sheriff says

SKOWHEGAN – The Somerset County sheriff is proposing the county save money on its jail costs by allowing certain inmates to go back to their homes and jobs after serving a third of their sentences.

Sheriff Barry DeLong said the plan, which needs approval from the Department of Corrections, could save the county more than $300,000 a year, and possibly as much as $1 million.

Only inmates who are not considered threats to the community would participate in the plan.

Participants would be required to check in at the jail and go to work every day and be at home when they aren’t working. DeLong said they also would be subject to unannounced visits from police and would be returned to jail if they violate terms of the program.

He said the program not only would save the county money, but also would benefit the community as a whole. He said the program would allow some inmates to keep their jobs and could help keep families intact.

“He keeps an income, he buys his groceries, he pays his bills and he doesn’t show up on the welfare rolls, and his family doesn’t,” DeLong said.

Evert Fowle, the district attorney for Somerset and Kennebec counties, worked with DeLong on designing the program. Fowle said the threat to the public safety can be minimized by carefully selecting participants.