Inmates at the Okanagan Correctional Centre are helping fight flooding by filling sandbags. (Photo contributed)
Inmates at the Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC) are joining in the fight against flooding.
With flooding still on the rise in the Oliver area, inmates at the prison are assisting the regional district by filling sandbags.
With the help of equipment to automate the process, after completing safety training, inmates are able to fill 4,000 sandbags daily.
The sandbags are used where needed, ranging from Summerland to the Canada-U.S. border.
While inmates at the OCC have participated in other outside work crew projects, this is the first time they are filling sandbags for flood mitigation, said Colin Hynes of BC Corrections.
“Last year, inmates performed weed eradication work for the city of Osoyoos, which OCC provided at no cost to the town. This year, the work crew will again be providing weed eradication in both Osoyoos and Oliver.”
Inmates also help with maintaining trails, collecting roadside garbage, doing community clean-up and helping with special projects or events as requested by non-profit organizations.
Only low-risk, open-custody inmates are eligible to participate in supervised community work programs outside the centre, Hynes said.
“Considerable planning goes into an inmate’s placement in open custody with risk assessments weighing inmates’ histories and needs.”
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