Tuscumbia Council considering inmate labor

It has been some time since the City of Tuscumbia has been without open laborer positions with departments like Parks and Recreation and Public Works.

The shortage has gotten to the point that Council members have been reviewing the requirements for application to the roles, including the $10 application fee and GED/high school transcript.

One measure the Council has been debating recently is whether or not to hire outside help in the form of inmate labor from Hamilton A&I work facility.

Thomas Black, who helps oversee the inmate work release program at Hamilton A&I, spoke to the Council during its Dec. 15.

Black said members of the program go out each day and do various tasks for different municipalities in northwest Alabama.

He said the inmates typically do things like mowing grass, weed eating, picking up trash, janitorial duties, or whatever else the client might need.

The cost is $15 per inmate per day, with an increase to $20 per day if the workers are transported to the clients by Hamilton A&I.

“They work normal daytime hours,” Black said. “As far as benefits, it is helping them get back into society and giving them a chance to go out and work. I understand the money is not a lot for them, but just getting out and working is what they look forward to.”

Black said what money the inmates do make from the labor is used for things like commissary items or even paying court-ordered restitution in some cases.

He said inmates in the program, who go out and work are wearing brown jumpsuits marked with Alabama Department of Corrections writing, so they are clearly visible.

Black said if one worker is not satisfactory to a client, he will send someone else from the program, “it’s just that easy.”

“(When it comes to) what types of crimes they’ve done, I can tell you none of them I have are in for anything sexual,” he said. “Do I have people in for murder? Yes. Speaking from my experience, those are probably the best ones I have.”

Black said the inmates in the program are typically under three years from release or a chance at parole.

Council member Jennifer Bennetch asked Black how many cities use the program.

He said he sends inmates to Red Bay, Russellville, Florence Recycling, Hamilton Police Department, Detroit (in Lamar County), Sulligent and Bear Creek.

“Red Bay has nine or 10 throughout the year,” he said. “Russellville keeps about 12. Florence has 20.”

Council member Roderick Metcalf inquired about picking a specific worker, how they are supervised and what happens if an inmate out in the community walks off?

Black said he has never had a city pick a specific worker before, the next one in line in the program is typically sent.

As far as supervision, he will have an orientation with whatever department head will be using the labor, and that person oversees them during the day.

Black said he has never had an inmate walk off, but if that were to happen, do not go after them.

“Call me and tell me which way they went is all you have to do,” he said.

Council member Krista Stanley asked if there are any jobs the inmates don’t do.

Black said they are not allowed to work near schools and cannot ride on the back of garbage trucks.

Otherwise, their jobs tend to be things that do not require a great degree of instruction.

Black said most cities come and pick up the workers each day, though if Tuscumbia were to request enough help to make it worthwhile, Hamilton would find a way to transport the inmates up here.

Council member Len Gregory, who brought the idea of using the program before the Council, asked about liability if a worker gets hurt or does something like assault a city employee.

Black said the city would not be liable in either case, noting that he has never had a worker assault someone else on the job.

After the discussion, Mayor T.W. Billings thanked Black for the presentation.

The issue was not voted on during the Dec. 15 meeting in order to give Council members more time to discuss whether or not to utilize the program.